The government is now studying the apparatus bearing Chinese characters that was recovered by fisherfolks in Pangasinan last July 1.
People’s Development Institute, a non-government organization, said the apparatus is an ocean bottom seismometer used during oil exploration activities.
Maritime expert Prof. Rommel Banlaoi said it cannot yet be concluded whether oil exploration activities are being conducted in the country due to insufficient evidence.
“Kung mayroon mang bansa na dapat magsagawa ng oil drilling activities sa ating EEZ [exclusive economic zone] ay dapat ay Pilipinas lang at walang bansa na papayagan na magsagawa ng ganyan activity unless bahagi ito ng service contracts na ini-implement ng ating pamahalaan,” Banlaoi said in an interview.
The Department of National Defense (DND) has yet to issue a statement on the matter pending results of the device analysis by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
Meanwhile, House Deputy Minority Leader Carlos Zarate is pushing for a congressional probe on the alleged illegal oil exploration of China in the country.
“Aside from harvesting our giant clams and depleting our fisheries resources, this may be the primary reason why China’s coast guard and maritime militia bar Filipino fishermen from fishing in Scarborough shoal. They may be mainly looking for oil in our EEZ,” he said.
No exploration reported
When asked for a comment on the matter, Malacaῆang said the country’s forces continue to monitor vessels in Scarborough Shoal and that there have been no reports yet on ships being used for exploration purposes.
“For now, we are confident na wala naman pong exploration na nagaganap diyan sa Scarborough. Kung mayroon man po, and if we can verify it, then we will file or do the corresponding action,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said.
Roque added that they are also waiting for investigation results on why the equipment was discovered.
“Pero alam niyo po, without the boat, hindi din magagamit ang equipment na ‘yan. So ang tinitingnan natin ay kung mayroong talagang mga barko na naglalayag diyan,” he said. – Report from Bea Bernardo/AG-rir
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