Lorenzana: China did not take any WPS island

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana stressed yesterday that the country is still in control and in occupation of its nine islands in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), contrary to speculation that China has taken some of it.

Lorenzana made the remark following a Social Weather Stations (SWS) Survey that showed 87 percent, or about nine of 10 adult Filipinos, believe it was important to regain control of the Chinese-held islands in the West Philippine Sea.

However, Lorenzana pointed out that what China reclaimed were several underwater reefs that are now islands.

“No, we are still in control and in occupation. China reclaimed several underwater reefs that are now islands. Scarborough or Panatag shoal was lost to the Chinese in 2012. No island belonging to us were ever lost during the time of President (Rodrigo) Duterte,” Lorenzana said.

“While Panatag is under the effective control of the Chinese our fishermen could fish in the area,” he added.

Lorenzana reiterated that there is nothing to retake as the country did not lose any islands in the West Philippine Sea.

“Retake what? Did we lose any Islands? The Chinese never took any of our occupied Islands. They took over unoccupied reefs and turned them into Islands. Had we been wiser we could have occupied those reefs as well when we occupied the nine Islands in the 70s,” Lorenzana said.

“I will throw the question back. How do you resolve the issue with a regional power that is ready to defend its ‘interest’ militarily? Madaling magsabi ng (It’s easy to say) “let us assert our rights and sovereignty. ” Question is How?”

“But first was there sovereignty violated? We have the sovereign right to exploit the resources but the WPS is not our sovereign territory. Panatag Shoal (thanks to the arbitral ruling) is now the fishing ground not exclusively of the Filipinos but of Chinese, Vietnamese and Taiwanese as well,” he added.

Lorenzana said one cannot accuse the Chief Executive of inaction because after his bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jingping, Filipino fishermen returned to Panatag to fish.

“We can resupply our troops on our islands without interference. An agreement was made that both parties can not occupy new features and none has done so far in compliance with this. And there is talk of joint development of gas and oil resources in the area. Tourism and trade has flourished specially export of agricultural products,” Lorenzana said.