The Department of National Defense (DND) has yet to confirm whether or not Chinese fishing vessels have indeed started withdrawing from the waters off Pagasa Island as claimed by the Philippine envoy to China.
A Filipino soldier patrols at the shore of Pagasa island (Thitu Island)
(REUTERS/Ritchie B. Tongo/Pool/File Photo/File Photo / MANILA BULLETIN)
DND spokesman Arsenio Andolong said that they could not even confirm if, indeed, there were 100 Chinese fishing vessels and Chinese militia, which surrounded the Pagasa Island, in the first place.
Pagasa Island is one of the disputed islands and rock formations in the West Philippine Sea which is being occupied by the Philippines.
“We could not verify one if there were really 100 fishing vessels around Pagasa and two if indeed withdrawal took place,” said Andolong.
Philippine Special Envoy to China Mon Tulfo earlier reported that China has started to withdraw Chinese fishing vessels from the disputed waters as ‘a gesture to win the trust and confidence of the Philippine government.’
President Duterte was earlier quoted as telling Chinese President Xi Jinping that there was no need to surround Pagasa Island with Chinese ships since he would not allow the presence of the United States in the area.
Duterte, it was recalled, has started establishing a close association with China since he assumed the presidency in 2016.
He has been very vocal of his love and friendship with China.
Andolong said that they were not even sure of the accuracy of the report of the presence of 100 Chinese fishing vessels, saying he has yet to receive a report from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
But if the withdrawal report was, indeed, true, Andolong said that it was a welcome development due to the risk of miscalculations in the area which could eventually spark a conflict.
“Well then at least it shows that the diplomatic track is working because that is what the President has been emphasizing when he talked with no less than President Xi Jinping,” said Andolong.
“That is good news because as I mentioned before in a previous interview it is better that we engage in talking rather than shooting,” he added.
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