‘No Chinese ship in Spratlys’

MANILA, Philippines - The military has not spotted any Chinese ship in the Spratlys.

Commodore Joseph Rustom Peña, Western Command (Wescom) Naval Force West (Navforwest) commander, said yesterday the Navy continues to monitor the seven islets and two reefs in the area.

“We don’t have any sightings of any Chinese fishing vessel near our islands,” he said.

Peña did not mention the reported sighting of Chinese Navy ships near the Ayungin reef that the Philippines occupies.

Filipino troops on Ayungin and another reef are on a grounded Navy ship stuck there while on patrol years ago.

China has a military garrison in the Philippine-claimed Panganiban (Mischief) Reef.

It has also occupied Panatag Shoal, a rich fishing ground near mainland Zambales. 

Threats to China

A Chinese government report released on Wednesday said China is facing threats from the sea. The report, “China’s Ocean Development Report (2013)” stresses the importance of maritime security.

The report also highlights the importance of offshore air patrols in maritime law enforcement.

“Since 2012, the most direct maritime security problems have been security threats posed by sovereignty disputes over islands,” the report said.

The report said possible military conflicts due to sovereignty disputes are the main security threat to China.

The strategic adjustment of foreign powers in the Asia-Pacific region will exert lasting and significant influence on China’s maritime security, the report added.

However, the report said policies have not fundamentally changed.

“China will adhere to a road of peaceful development and insist on resolving marine disputes peacefully,” the report said.

–  With Pia Lee-Brago