China’s surveillance ships back

Just days after they reportedly left, Chinese ships have returned to the Philippine-claimed shoal off Zambales, indicating that intrusions continue despite Philippines involving the United Nations.

China’s surveillance ships back at Scarborough Shoal
By Tarra Quismundo

Just days after they reportedly left, Chinese ships have returned to the Philippine-claimed shoal off Zambales, indicating that intrusions continue despite the country’s bid to halt such breaches of maritime territory before the United Nations.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed on Monday that at least two Chinese maritime surveillance ships from China have sailed back into the Panatag Shoal (Scarborough Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc), a territory in the West Philippine Sea some 220 kilometers west of Zambales.

“Yesterday, we received a report from the Philippine Navy confirming that Chinese ships are back in Bajo de Masinloc in Panatag Shoal. So they come, go back and fourth in that area,” said DFA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez.

He said reports of Chinese ships coming in and out of the shoal’s vicinity was routine.

“They have been intruding in that area for some time now and those reports of Chinese ships leaving and coming back have been a normal report,” said Hernandez.

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Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer.