PNoy: Phl to ask China to explain water cannon incident

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine government will ask the People's Republic of China to explain why the Chinese coast guard fired water cannons at the Filipino fishermen who were at the disputed Scarborough Shoal on January 27.

President Benigno Aquino III said both the Department of Foreign Affairs and Department of National Defense are now preparing diplomatic communications to Beijing regarding the incident.

"It is proper for us to ask them exactly what this incident was all about and what their intentions are. And the DFA and the DND after conferring and after getting the necessary proof is already drafting the appropriate communications," the President told a press conference after the 28th anniversary celebration of the Edsa People Power 1 in Cebu City.

He said both departments are still getting confirmation on the circumstances surrounding the incident.
  
"Confirmation normally means getting the testimonies of the people involved para may basis tayo o sound basis tayo, at hindi speculation,that the incident happened as described. Now the first step will be a diplomatic message there are various terms for these diplomatic messages directed at the People's Republic of China to ask them to explain what this incident was all about and what their directions are.

"Medyo inconsistent rin yung nangyari dyan and at this point in time if they may call it their standard operating procedure. Kasi as of yesterday, we had fishermen inside the shoal who are not being harassed or intimidated by any entity . so ayaw na muna nating mag react on one incident," the President said.

In an earlier forum,  Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista  said the incident was relayed by small fishermen to the Philippine authorities and that China still maintained armed Coast Guard and other vessels at Panatag Shoal, some 220 kilometer off the Philippine main island of Luzon.