Floating structure shifts, renewing concerns over Chinese activities in WPS

MANILA, June 15 ------ The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said the floating structure detected inside Bajo de Masinloc in the West Philippine Sea had shifted to the northern part of the shoal. "So for an update, ‘yong platform na ipinakita namin noong Wednesday na namataan natin sa may kalagitnaan ng loob ng Bajo de Masinloc Shoal ay umangat na sa ibabaw meaning they are on the northern most part of Bajo de Masinloc,” said PCG Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela, spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea in a media forum.

Meanwhile, maritime law expert Atty. Jay Batongbacal warned that history has shown similar floating structures are often followed by the construction of larger permanent installations. "Sa ngayon ang sinasabi raw nila ay scientific research daw ang dahilan pero ang naalala po natin agad ay kapag sinabi nila yun eh 'yon din ang sinabi nila bago nila kunin ang Fiery Cross Reef at tayuan ng mga permanenteng istruktura at ngayon ay malaking artificial island na."

The floating structures were first detected through satellite imagery on May 25. Maritime forces also discovered an antenna structure in the vicinity of the shoal. In an earlier statement, the Chinese embassy in Manila reiterated its claim that Bajo de Masinloc is part of China's territory and maintained that conducting scientific research in the area falls within its sovereign rights. "(Bajo de Masinloc) is China's inherent territory, and China has indisputable sovereignty over its adjacent waters. China's activities, including scientific research, in the relevant waters are normal actions within the scope of its sovereignty, which are beyond reproach."

The AFP said it remains vigilant as the situation develops. "We have learned our history kung paano nag-ooperate ng Chinese Communist Party. We are keeping close eye on the development sa Bajo de Masinloc. 'Yon ang sa larangan ng DND and AFP."

The PCG also said the government continues to conduct maritime domain awareness flights, monitor activities in the area, and challenge two Chinese research vessels operating inside Bajo de Masinloc. "On the part of the government, we are still conducting continuous maritime domain awareness flight, monitoring and also challenging these two Chinese research vessels na nasa loob din ng Bajo de Masinloc."

Source: news.abs-cbn.com