Philippines stops protest trip to disputed shoal
MASINLOC (Philippines): Philippine President Benigno Aquino told protesters to abort plans to sail to a disputed South China Sea shoal also claimed by China, the leader of the group said.
A group of about 20 people, led by outspoken former Philippine Marine officer Nicanor Faeldon and including television crews, was set to depart to Scarborough Shoal from the northern coastal town of Masinloc.
China claims the shoal along with most of the South China Sea, even up to the coasts of its Asian neighbours, while the Philippines says the shoal is well within its 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone.
Cranking up tensions, both countries have had ships posted around the shoal since April 10, after Chinese vessels prevented a Philippine Navy ship from arresting Chinese fishermen.
China and the Philippines have imposed separate fishing bans around the disputed area that came into effect on Wednesday, moves that were seen by some observers as a face-saving way for both claimants to back away from the row.
Aquino’s last-minute telephone call yesterday led to the protesters calling off their trip, protest leader Faeldon told reporters after speaking to the president on his mobile phone.
“I received a call from the president requesting the postponement of this voyage. I consulted the group and we agreed to concur with the wisdom of the government to postpone it,” he added.
Faeldon said earlier the trip aimed to galvanise global support for Philippine government’s efforts to bring a peaceful solution. — AFP