Palace verifies China’s plan to build monitoring station

Malacañang is verifying reports that China is eyeing to build an environment monitoring station on Panatag Shoal, internationally known as Scarborough, in the West Philippine Sea.

Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said the Philippine government sought clarification from Chinese authorities, with regards to the statement of Sansha Communist Party Secretary Xiao that preparations to build the permanent structure on the disputed island are now underway.

“We are seeking information from Chinese authorities to clarify the accuracy of the report,” Abella said in a statement.

According to Chinese newspaper Hainan Daily, Xiao was quoted as saying China will begin its preparatory work for an environmental monitoring station this year.

This comes after Philippines seeks diplomatic dialogue with China to resolve the dispute on the West Philippine Sea, refusing to invoke its rights on the contested island despite an international court ruling favoring the Philippines.

China seized Panatag Shoal in 2012 after a standoff with Philippine vessels. It then denied Filipino fishermen access to the disputed area.

The tension eased when an international tribunal released in July 2016 a ruling invalidating China’s claims to the West Philippine Sea, and when President Rodrigo Duterte visited China the same year, telling his counterparts that he is not yet ready to insist the decision in favor of his administration.

Recently, Chinese survey ships were monitored patrolling the resource-rich Benham Rise, a Philippine territory, for about three months.

Chinese Foreign Ministry said the Philippines does not own Benham Rise but the government maintains that it “belongs to the Filipino people and the Philippines.”

Last Friday, the President met with Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang in Davao City but the failed to discuss the maritime dispute.