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Allowed, for now China has confirmed that they have "allowed" Filipino fishermen to fish freely in Scarborough Shoal, or Panatag Shoal as known to locals. But contrary to initial reports, there are still Chinese Coast Guard vessels in the area, Beijing reiterating that it will continue to "exercise administration over the area as Chinese territory." In other words, we were given permission by China to fish in what they still claim as sovereign territory. The fact that the Chinese Coast Guard maintains a substantial presence brings that very point home.
The move "allowing" our fishermen to finally fish in the area after more than four years is more of a goodwill gesture than anything else. It certainly does not indicate that they are now complying with the Permanent Court of Arbitration decision, which the country won last July. China has refused to abide by the decision, saying the court has no jurisdiction over the matter, if there was an issue in the first place. With President Duterte not bringing the court decision to the table in his trip to China, everything is all up to the Chinese. There is no formal document with regards to fishing in Panatag Shoal because we could not agree to the word "allow" or "permit." That would be tantamount to accepting Chinese sovereignty over the area. As I have mentioned before, the situation at Ayungin Shoal must also be tested, so to speak. Will the Chinese allow supply runs to BRP Sierra Madre, where a handful of Philippine Marines stand guard?
In a more recent development, former President Fidel V. Ramos has resigned as special envoy to China. According to him, his job is done, as President Duterte has been able to forge much better ties with Beijing during his official visit to China. But it should be mentioned that Ramos has been critical of Duterte. In his most recent column, he hit Duterte for dragging his feet on the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. He had a few "words" of his own with regards to Duterte's stand. You will recall his prior column where described the first 100 days of the Duterte presidency as "the country losing badly," touching on his expletive-laden rants against the US, UN and EU, and the supposed separation from America.
While it is good that our fishermen are able to fish unmolested at Panatag Shoal, the issue still remains. With China now coming out saying they will still exercise administration over the area, the situation may change at any time. Duterte may not be bringing out the court decision card for now, but, if, and when he does, the situation at Panatag, and Ayungin Shoals may drastically change. With the US being pushed out of the picture, that would make for an interesting situation indeed. Good thing we still have Japan as our friend, right?
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