PH seeks China's reply on new Panatag structure plan

ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/news/03/22/20161031-scarborough-fishermen-rtr.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">A fisherman look at the fishing boats that just returned from disputed Scarborough Shoal, as they are docked at the coastal village of Cato in Infanta, Pangasinan. <cite>Erik De Castro, Reuters</cite></div></figcaption></figure></div><p>BANGKOK, Thailand - The Philippines has requested China to clarify reports that it plans to build the first permanent structure on the disputed Panatag (Scarborough) shoal in the South China Sea, a Cabinet official said Wednesday. </p><p>&quot;Ang masasabi ko lang ngayon is that we have already approached China to seek clarification on this report and plan,&quot; acting Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said in a press conference. </p><p>Manila &quot;will have to wait for China&#x27;s reply&quot; before filing a possible protest against Beijing over its purported plan to build an environmental monitoring station on Panatag, Manalo added. </p><p>&quot;In the meantime the Philippine government is maintaining a regular and close watch over Scarborough shoal,&quot; he said. </p><p>DFA Spokesperson Charles Jose said the agency has sent China a note verbale for clarification. If the report is confirmed to be true, Jose said the Philippines &quot;will definitely file a protest note against China for this planned action.&quot;</p><p>China 5 years ago started blockading Panatag, a rocky outcrop within the Philippines&#x27; 200 mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ). </p><p>Until late last year, Beijing had 2 to 3 coastguard ships guarding the shoal and stopping Filipinos from tapping its vast fish stocks. An international tribunal ruled last year that Beijing violated Manila&#x27;s entitlements and no country has sole rights to fish there.</p><p>However, just days after Duterte visited China and heralded a new era of ties, Filipinos returned to fish at the periphery of the shoal, unimpeded by Chinese vessels. </p><p>But a recent report by Chinese newspaper Hainan Daily quoted Sansha Communist Party secretary Xiao Jie as saying that preparations were underway to build a monitoring station in the shoal. </p><figure class="op-interactive"><div id="IVS_ABS_Body_Video_1_Container"> <ivs-player id="IVS_ABS_Body_Video_1" data-ivs-spid="3001339" data-ivs-key="e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603" data-ivs-vid="1455632" data-ivs-floating="1"></ivs-player> <script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/iframe-parent.js"></script> <script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/loader.js"></script> </div></figure><div><strong>AGUIRRE BARES LOOMING PROTEST </strong></div><p>Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre told reporters on Tuesday that Manila would file a complaint against Beijing&#x27;s reported aggressive action. </p><p>&quot;The case which will be filed is fairly strong I think,&quot; he said. </p><p>Aguirre also said the Philippines would renew its strong ties with Washington in the face of China&#x27;s plan. </p><p>&quot;As a matter of fact, we&#x27;re strengthening the relationship with the United States,&quot; he told reporters.</p><p>President Rodrigo Duterte meanwhile was asked on Sunday for his response to the report of a radar station to be built at the Scarborough Shoal. </p><p>&quot;<a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/03/19/17/duterte-ph-cant-stop-china-from-building-facilities-in-panatag-shoal">We cannot stop China</a>,&quot; he said, noting it is pointless to go to war against Beijing. </p><p><strong>DUTERTE FIRM ON PH CLAIM: CAYETANO </strong><br/> <br/>The President however &quot;will not give up a square centimeter of Philippine territory,&quot; Senator Alan Peter Cayetano said.</p><p>Cayetano said Duterte is &quot;working quietly&quot; on long-term strategies to assert Manila&#x27;s rights to the waterway. </p><p>He did not elaborate on the strategy but instead asked members of the media to &quot;give a little bit of latitude to DFA and other departments.&quot;</p><p>&quot;Because although we have to report to the people, what country will be able to achieve its objectives if we announce our strategy while we are implementing our strategy,&quot; he said. </p><p>Last month, former Foreign Minister Perfecto Yasay said the US had dissuaded China from reclaiming Scarborough Shoal, which security analysts consider a red line that could escalate tension in the region.</p><p>China has put missiles and radar on some of its seven man-made islands in another part of the South China Sea, a strategic water claimed by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.</p><p>The US stresses the importance of free navigation in the sea, through which more than $5 trillion worth of trade passes each year. <strong>-- With Reuters</strong></p>

<p>BANGKOK, Thailand - The Philippines has requested China to clarify reports that it plans to build the first permanent structure on the disputed Panatag (Scarborough) shoal in the South China Sea, a Cabinet minister said Wednesday.</p><p> </p>

BANGKOK, Thailand - The Philippines has requested China to clarify reports that it plans to build the first permanent structure on the disputed Panatag (Scarborough) shoal in the South China Sea, a Cabinet minister said Wednesday.

PH seeks China's reply on new Panatag structure plan | ABS-CBN

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PH seeks China's reply on new Panatag structure plan

PH seeks China's reply on new Panatag structure plan

ABS-CBN News

Published Mar 22, 2017 12:52 PM PHT

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Updated Mar 22, 2017 08:18 PM PHT

Read More:

sea dispute

China

South China Sea

Panatag shoal

Scarborough

Enrique Manalo

Rodrigo Duterte

Alan Peter Cayetano

protest

Vitaliano Aguirre

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