Gov’t lodges diplomatic protest over surge of Chinese ships near Pag-asa
Credit to Author: Tempo Desk| Date: Mon, 01 Apr 2019 08:31:43 +0000
The government has lodged a diplomatic protest opposing the presence of more than 200 Chinese vessels near Pag-asa Island, Malacañang announced yesterday.
Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said the military has monitored 275 Chinese vessels sailing near the island from January to March 2019 as he questioned the reason behind such deployment.
He noted that foreign vessels were “stationary” staying between a day to a week as reported by the military.
“I understand we have already issued a diplomatic protest per the Western Command. The Department of Foreign Affairs has already made the diplomatic protest over that incident on the so-called vessels being stationed there,” he said.
Panelo admitted that government was concerned about the matter since it involves national security as well as the safety of fishermen in the area.
“Anything that concerns the security of the Philippines will always be a concern,” he said. “The mere fact that they are there and they are staying there for a week. Bakit? Ano ginagawa ninyo doon?” he added.
Panelo said he intends to raise the issue about the Chinese vessels when he meets Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua in Malacanang. He said he would get the side of the ambassador and “politely ask” China to halt such activity.
“We will ask them first why. First, if they acknowledge such fact as determined by us. No. 2, ask them why they are doing it. No. 3, we will politely ask them not to do what they are doing,” he said.
Apart from the Chinese ships, Panelo said he might tackle the plight of the fishermen in the West Philippine Sea amid reports some have been harassed by the Chinese coast guards. (Genalyn Kabiling)