DND says no Chinese reclamation activities in Panatag Shoal

From GMA News (Oct 17): DND says no Chinese reclamation activities in Panatag Shoal

An official of the Department of National Defense (DND) on Monday refuted reports of alleged reclamation activities by China in Scarborough Shoal, locally known as Panatag Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc.

Speaking before the joint hearing of the Senate committees on Blue Ribbon, and environment and natural resources, Defense Undersecretary Eduardo del Rosario said the Philippine Navy found four Chinese coast guards and two fishing vessels in the area, but there was no indication of a land reclamation project.

“Upon hearing Governor Ebdane stating that there was no reclamation in Bajo de Masinloc, we confirmed about this information…Perhaps in other areas [there are reclamation activities], but not in Bajo,” Del Rosario said.

“In Bajo de Masinloc, there is none,” he stressed.

In its ruling in July 12, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled that the Panatag Shoal, located 124 nautical miles from the nearest point in Zambales, is a common fishing ground.

Zambales Governor Amor Deloso earlier said that soil excavated from two mountains in Zambales province were allegedly used for China's reclamation activities in Panatag Shoal.

Deloso  claimed that soils and rocks from Mt. Pinmagong and Mt. Binabag — both in Barangay Gisgis Sta. Cruz — are allegedly being smuggled to build 3,500 hectares of land reclamation.

When asked by Senator Richard Gordon, chairman of the committee, if Deloso saw the ongoing reclamation himself, Deloso cited fishermen's eyewitness accounts.

Deloso said then that his predecessor, former governor Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr., allowed the excavations.

During the hearing on Monday, Deloso reiterated that his testimony before the Senate hearing was not based on his personal knowledge.

“I did not say it was my personal knowledge and I did not say it was the former governor,” Deloso said.

Gordon admonished Deloso, saying the Senate committee was on a “wild goose chase” over his allegations.

“You should not make statements which you have no personal knowledge of…It’s worthy of respect but now it would appear that you’re withdrawing your statement,” Gordon said.

Ebdane, for his part, denied the allegations against him.

“I cannot sell something that is not mine, and over which I have no authority. The so-called presence of the Chinese military is ridiculous,” Ebdane, a former national police chief, said.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/585300/news/nation/dnd-says-no-chinese-reclamation-activities-in-panatag-shoal