Palace stands by China’s position on Panatag Shoal

MALACAÑANG ON Tuesday noted that reports on China’s plan to further build facilities on Panatag or Scarborough Shoal does not conform with the Chinese government’s “official” position on this matter.

“The Department of Foreign Affairs is in the process of verifying alleged announcements of proposals to build structures in West Philippine Sea, since these statements do not reflect the official position of China,” Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto C. Abella said in a statement on Tuesday, March 21.

Mr. Abella also reiterated Mr. Duterte’s position since last year yet that Manila will take up the arbitral ruling with Beijing at a “most fitting” time.

The ruling refers to an arbitral case on the Philippines’ maritime dispute with China over the South China Sea, and the decision last year by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Philippines’ favor.

In what has since been regarded as a capitulation of the country’s sovereignty by its own leader, Philippine President Rodrigo R. Duterte last Sunday said he cannot stop China’s activities on Scarborough Shoal, following reports of Beijing’s planned installation of an environmental monitoring station on the shoal, which is 405 km from the Philippine island of Luzon and 2,659 km from China.

Senior Associate Justice Antonio T. Carpio has also been prompted to recommend options for Mr. Duterte to convey strength before China.

Mr. Abella for his part maintained Mr. Duterte’s position since last year: “He (Mr. Duterte) has said time and again that he will defend and protect the interests of the Filipino people, and will take necessary action at a time most fitting and advantageous to us.”

For his part, Justice Secretary Vitaliano N. Aguirre II told reporters yesterday that Mr. Duterte is not compromising the Philippines’ claims in the South China Sea, adding that the Philippines may file a “medyo malakaslakas (slightly strong)” protest against China. — with Kristine Joy V. Patag