‘Pinoy soldiers still control Ayungin Shoal’

MANILA, Philippines - Filipino soldiers remain in control of Ayungin Shoal near Palawan despite the presence of Chinese vessels near the area since May, a senior security official said yesterday.

The security official, who requested anonymity because he is not allowed to speak on the issue, was reacting to reports quoting a speaker in the anti-China rally organized by the newly formed West Philippine Sea Coalition in Makati City on Wednesday that Ayungin is now controlled by China.

“We have a military outpost in Ayungin and this outpost is being manned by our soldiers,” the official said, referring to the Philippine Navy landing tank ship BRP Sierra Madre.

Emman Hizon of Akbayan and spokesman of West Philippine Sea Coalition erred in addressing the anti-China crowd with the declaration that Beijing has occupied Ayungin, the official said.

“He was apparently referring to Panatag and not the Ayungin Shoal, which is under the full control of troops from the Western Command (Wescom),” the official said.

The official, however, admitted that China has occupied and fortified its military facilities in several reefs and shoals within the Spratlys group of islands, apart from structures in Panganiban Reef in Palawan and Panatag Shoal off Zambales.

Kalayaan Island Mayor Eugenio Bito-onon Jr. had confirmed these Chinese military facilities.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin on Tuesday said a Chinese vessel is still near Ayungin.

Gazmin had said there would be no troop pullout in Ayungin as he vowed to fight its illegal occupants “to the last man standing.”

Chinese coast guard

Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday it is verifying reports that a ship of the Chinese coast guard was recently sighted in Mischief Reef.

A confidential Philippine government report obtained by The Associated Press said the Chinese coast guard’s move “further demonstrates China’s resolve to consolidate its self-acclaimed indisputable sovereignty in the South China Sea.”

“We are still trying to verify this information but in principle such activity is inconsistent with the spirit of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties on the South China Sea,” DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez said at a press briefing.

Hernandez said the move is “also inconsistent with the efforts exerted by ASEAN to build confidence among parties as it raises the level of tension in that area.”

Rommel Banlaoi, executive director of think tank Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence and Terrorism Research, said the latest structures spotted in the area as of last September were a windmill, solar panels, a concrete platform suitable for use as a helipad and a basketball court.

On Monday, China’s reorganized coast guard that merges four agencies responsible for fisheries administration, maritime surveillance, and Customs enforcement and border control was inaugurated.

Chinese officials said the merger would help boost efficiency in law enforcement and “better safeguard China’s sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.” – With Pia Lee-Brago