The presence of several Chinese vessels in Scarborough Shoal
(Bajo De Masinloc), which lies 123 miles of Subic Bay ,
Zambales, is a precursor to possible building of structures in the area.
This was stressed by Department of National Defense (DND)
public affairs office chief Arsenio Andolong in an interview Wednesday.
"We believed that this is precursor to possible
building of structures on the shoal, which is why we are gravely concerned about
this development especially (as) the shoal is well within our exclusive
economic (zone) and we like to point out that the Ambassador of China denied
this only a week ago," he added.
Earlier, the DND released pictures of the Chinese vessels
lying off Scarborough Shoal. The photos were taken by Filipino military
aircraft on overflight missions to the area last Sept. 3.
But prior the overflight, Andolong said the DND has prior
knowledge of Chinese activity in the shoal as Philippine ships are regularly
patrolling the area.
He added that DND Secretary Delfin Lorenzana decided to make
the information public after learning that the number of Chinese ships in
Scarborough Shoal has increased.
The DND chief earlier said that there are 10 Chinese ships
in the area, with four looking like Chinese Coast Guard ships, four similar to
barges and two resembling troop ships.
And when asked what the DND and the military is planning to
do, Andolong said they continue to monitor and conduct surveillance operations
but said further action will depend on the order of the Commander-in-Chief,
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
Its maritime law enforcement units have been consistently
driving away Filipinos they spot in the area.
Last July 12, the United Nations Permanent Court of
Arbitration invalidated China's claim over its "historic rights" to
the West Philippine Sea and also pointed out that its 'Nine-Dash-Line' claim
has no legal basis.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=920904
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