Phl preparing protest vs China over shoal posts

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines will protest China’s construction of facilities in Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal after the military reported spotting scores of concrete blocks in the disputed territory.

Speaking before members of the House of Representatives, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Evan Garcia said the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is studying the report of the Department of National Defense (DND) on the sighting.

In the report, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said sea and aerial patrols sighted three Chinese coast guard vessels and 75 concrete blocks scattered all over the shoal last Aug. 31.

It could be the start of the construction of a garrison and other facilities, the report added.

At the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Ambassador to Beijing Erlinda Basilio was called home  for consultations and review of Philippines-China relations.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert  del Rosario said yesterday Basilio will return to Beijing tomorrow.

“We had a review of Philippines-China relations and I think she will be returning to post either tomorrow or latest Saturday,” Del Rosario said in a text message.

Basilio arrived on Tuesday  from Nanning, the venue of the 10th ASEAN-China Expo (CAEXPO).

At Camp Aguinaldo, Gazmin and Japanese Minister-in-Charge of Ocean Policy and Territorial Issues Ichita Yamamoto agreed yesterday that force must not be used to change the status quo in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

Through an interpreter, Yamamoto told reporters: “We shared the view that any country should not pursue to change status quo unilaterally by force. Also the establishment of the rule of law is very, very important.

“The establishment of rule of law is a very important agenda which requires the close cooperation between Japan and the Philippines and we would like to continue to cooperate with the Philippines in order to send strong messages to international community.”

Yamamoto declined to comment when asked whether Japan plans to send assets to the Philippines.

“However, I believe that the recent visit by Defense Minister Onodera set (the) quality (of the) path on the future between Japan and the Philippines and I believe that further cooperation will be promoted,” he said.

Yamamoto declined to comment on whether the increased US presence in the Philippines would promote regional stability.

“Whether the increased American presence will contribute to the strengthening security environment for the Philippines is primarily an issue to be answered by the government of the Philippines,” he said.

In Zambales, three town mayors said yesterday fishermen in the coastal towns are fearful of the presence of armed Chinese in Panatag Shoal.

Zambales Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. has provided them with a mechanism known as payao to attract more fish near the coast to boost their catch, they added.

Masinloc Mayor Desiree Edora said some fishermen from her town have reported that armed Chinese in big vessels have barred them from Panatag, known locally as Bajo de Masinloc.

Candelaria Mayor Napoleon Edquid said some 300 small fishermen from his town have been avoiding Panatag due to the Chinese presence.

Palauig Mayor Generoso Amog said the territorial dispute has also adversely affected about 300 small fishermen from his town.

In a resolution passed last year, the Palauig Municipal Board has asserted that Panatag is part of their town, he added.

Edora said Filipino fishermen had been on friendly terms with Chinese fishermen before the territorial dispute.