Spratlys intrusions continue unabated

Intrusion into Philippine-claimed territories in the Spratly archipelago in the South China Sea remains unabated with the Navy reportedly having sighted four foreign fishing vessels moored in three of the islands over the weekend.

In his report to the defense department, Maj. Gen. Santiago Madrid, commander of the military's Western Command, said the vessels dropped anchor off Parola, Panata and Rizal islands.

Parola and Panata are on the northwestern edge of the Kalayaan island group while Rizal Reef is situated at the southern portion of the disputed area.

The three islands are manned by Philippine troops.

Two Vietnamese fishing vessels were reportedly anchored southwest of Parola, while a Chinese fishing boat was spotted about two miles off Panata island.

Another Vietnamese fishing vessel was also espied some five miles from Rizal islet.

Authorities said Navy patrols were dispatched to the territories to persuade the foreign vessels to leave the area.

Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado attributed the increase in foreign intrusions in the Philippine-claimed territories to the onset of the fishing season.

He assured the people, however, that the military has intensified its patrols despite a limited capability.

Mercado also reported that at least eight tons of corals were seized by the Navy last week from a Chinese fishing boat caught poaching in the Philippine-claimed Scarborough Shoal which is 125 nautical miles off Zambales province.

Mercado said the Navy also seized 192 sticks of dynamite, 54 blasting caps, 32 feet of detonating cord and 18 bottles of cyanide.

"We have taken photographs (of the confiscated items) and prepared the documents to be forwarded to the Department of Foreign Affairs for a possible protest," Mercado said.

"This is the biggest haul so far seized by the Navy from Chinese fishing vessels," Mercado noted.