WesCom: No Chinese takeover of disputed atoll

MANILA - AFP Western Command chief Vice Admiral Alexander Lopez on Wednesday downplayed earlier reports of a Chinese takeover of the disputed Quirino Atoll, also known as Jackson Atoll, in the West Philippine Sea.

Mayor Eugenio Bito-onon Jr. of Kalayaan, Palawan earlier said that China deployed up to seven ships to impose a naval blockade on Quirino Atoll.

"This is very alarming; Quirino is on our path when we travel from Palawan to Pagasa. It is halfway and we normally stop there to rest," Bito-onon Jr. said in an interview.

"I feel something different. The Chinese are trying to choke us by putting an imaginary checkpoint there. It is a clear violation of our right to travel, impeding freedom of navigation," he added.

However, Lopez clarified that the earlier reports about a Chinese takeover were inaccurate.

In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Lopez said that China has not secured control of the disputed atoll.

"We have to verify. There is no such thing because the intuition is they (China) have gotten control of the atoll... So far as we are concerned, there's no such thing," Lopez clarified.

"Until such time that we really have verified correctly then maybe we can come up with another comment," he added.

The Western Command chief said that they have yet to verify the basis of Bito-onon's claim.

"I don't know what's the source of the mayor, no. The basis of our report is actual flight. In fact, we just flew there last week and we didn't see any," Lopez said.

"We don't have any direct communication with the mayor but we will try to communicate with the mayor.... We will try to get in touch with the mayor and verify his sources whether they are of personal observation or reported by somebody else," the ranking military official said.

Lopez explained that it is possible to have sightings of Chinese vessels in the disputed area.

"Well, you know, the Chinese ships on the area can come and go, It's an on and off thing, so whether it's in the particular area or another area, to me, sometimes, it's normal for us to see Chinese vessels anytime, anywhere in the area," Lopez explained.

"Sometimes, we see them in the Pag-asa Islands, sometimes they are around Ayungin Shoal, sometimes they are somewhere there. Those reports, we really tend to confirm them. That’s why if there are reports being conveyed that we do not know, the first reaction that they do is we fly over then confirm those report and sightings," he continued.

Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed that it has received reports of sightings of Chinese Coast Guard vessels in Quirino Atoll, but the department was quick to clarify that the vessels were no longer there as of Wednesday.

"The department received initial reports from our defense authorities that two weeks ago, Chinese Coast Guard vessels were sighted in the Quirino Atoll and that there are no more sightings of Chinese vessels in the area as of today," the DFA said in a statement.

"The Department is monitoring reports on the situation on the ground and reiterates its call for China to exercise self-restraint from the conduct of activities that could complicate or escalate disputes in the South China Sea and affect peace and stability in the region," it added.