President Benigno Simeon Aquino III on Monday said he was optimistic that the Philippines and China were moving closer to resolving the territorial dispute on Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal.
“It’s still too early say na lumiwanag na ang sitwasyon pero at least medyo mas nalalapit tayo doon sa pagliwanag ng sitwasyon at pag-resolba nga nito using diplomatic means which was what we stated from the very beginning,” Aquino said.
In an interview with reporters after attending the Mindanao Rural Development Program 2 - People’s Organization Congress in Davao City, the President said the two countries are holding a dialogue over the issue.
“May pinatutunguhan ‘yung pag-uusap, parang medyo lumabo for a while pero ngayon ay mukhang nagkakaroon ng liwanag,” Aquino said.
The president further said the Philippines consulted various legal entities about the best method to resolve the issue.
“Hinihintay pa natin ‘yung nag-aaral. Kasi binigyan ng terms of reference recently ni (Foreign Affairs) Secretary (Albert) Del Rosario itong ating legal consultants and they will be coming back to us after they finish their study,” he said.
Fishing ban
Meanwhile, Aquino welcomed the decision of the Chinese government to implement a fishing ban in South China Sea from May 16 to August 1.
“Kung mag-i-impose sila ng ban doon sa mga kababayan nila na sila ang nagha-harvest ay bakit hindi natin iwe-welcome ‘yang ban na ‘yan, ano? Makaka-recover lalo na itong Panatag Shoal. So thank you kung i-impose nila doon sa mga tao nila dahil sa totoo lang mas konti ‘yung ating mangingisdang nagpupunta diyan,” he said.
He noted that the Filipino fishermen going to the area are mostly using small boats.
“Yung atin pumupunta doon palaot kadalasan bangka. ‘Yung bangka ay de-canoe na outrigger, maliit, maliit ang kayang i-harvest. ‘Yung sa kanila ay talagang medyo malalaking fishing trawler, ano, ‘yung kung ikukumpara doon sa atin siguro mahina ‘yung times ten o mga times fifteen ‘yung capacity,” he said.
Aquino said he received report from the Philippine Coast Guard and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) about the adverse effects of harvesting giant clams in Panatag Shoal.
“Naapektuhan na ‘yung Scarborough Shoal—something about the discoloration of the water—I’m not a marine aquaculturist so I’m not that conversant with the details. But there seems to have been damage already inflicted so ‘yung there’s damage, we want to help the ecosystem recover, and a ban would help in the recovery process,” he said.
To prevent Filipino fishermen from going to Panatag Shoal, Aquino said BFAR is using some device to improve fishing conditions in Masinloc and other areas in Zambales and Pangasinan..
While Aquino was in favor of the fishing ban, Del Rosario was not.
"Our position is we do not recognize China’s fishing ban in as much as portions of the ban encompass our EEZ. But the President has decided to that, in view of the accelerated depletion of our marine resources, it would be advisable for us to issue our own fishing ban for a period of the time to replenish our fish stock," Del Rosario said.
PHL Ambassador to China
"Our position is we do not recognize China’s fishing ban in as much as portions of the ban encompass our EEZ. But the President has decided to that, in view of the accelerated depletion of our marine resources, it would be advisable for us to issue our own fishing ban for a period of the time to replenish our fish stock," Del Rosario said.
PHL Ambassador to China
“I’m interviewing people pero I haven’t chosen a singular entity. We’re trying to accelerate that process,” Aquino said.
“Given the complexities of our relationship with China right now, it has to really be somebody who is the best that we can produce,” he added. - VVP, GMA News
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