By Azer Parrocha and Priam Nepomuceno/Philippine News Agency
There is no truth to criticism that President Rodrigo Duterte’s denunciation of China’s acts in the West Philippine Sea came “too little, too late”, Malacañang said Tuesday.
Cabinet Secretary and Acting Presidential Spokesperson Karlo Nograles belied allegations of Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya), saying Duterte has always been consistent in affirming the country’s arbitral victory against China.
“Hindi po totoo lahat ng mga paratang na iyon. [Department of Foreign Affairs] acted swiftly, the President spoke about the issue. Ang resupply boats po natin ay nakarating sa Ayungin Shoal,” Nograles said in a Palace press briefing.
He pointed out that even before Duterte brought this up before the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean)-China Special Summit, the Philippines never changed its position on the arbitral ruling.
“I think the President has always been consistent sa UN General Assembly, sa mga Asean Summits. Lagi niyang binabalik-balikan iyong UNCLOS at iyong ating Arbitral Award,” he added.
Nograles said Duterte has also been consistent in emphasizing the importance of working on a “peaceful resolution” to sea disputes.
Following reports that Filipino resupply boats had no escorts at the time of the latest incident with the China Coast Guard, Nograles pointed out that it was “just a testament and proof” that Filipinos can go to the West Philippine Sea.
“‘Yung pagpadala po ng resupply boats at ang pagdating po nila do’n without any escorts is just a testament and proof that we can peacefully supply and resupply our Filipino citizens there,” he said.
Earlier, Pamalakaya, a local fishers group, said Duterte’s pronouncements came “too little, too late”.
“China has already occupied and transformed most parts of our exclusive economic zone into military bases courtesy of President Duterte’s subservient foreign policies over the last 5 years,” said the group.
The group said Duterte’s statement was allegedly “more of a salvation of his political interest than assertion of national sovereignty”.
2 resupply boats safely arrived
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Tuesday said the two resupply boats have safely arrived at the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal around 11 a.m.
“The two civilian resupply boats manned by the Philippine Navy arrived at the Sierra Madre in the Ayungin shoal at 11 a.m. today without any untoward incident,” Lorenzana said in a message to reporters.
He added that the boats are now unloading personnel and cargo.
“After a couple of days they will return to Oyster Bay,” Lorenzana said.
However, the defense chief said there was a Chinese Coast Guard ship in the vicinity.
This ship, Lorenzana said, sent a rubber boat with three persons near the BRP Sierra Madre while the resupply boats were unloading and took photos and videos.
“I have communicated to the Chinese Ambassador that we consider these acts as a form of intimidation and harassment,” he added.
The two resupply boats left Oyster Bay Monday after repairs to one of the craft was completed.
The Western Command earlier reported that three Chinese Coast Guard vessels “blocked and water cannoned” two Philippine supply boats or “bancas” on Nov. 16.
No one was hurt but the Philippine vessels, which were identified as Unaiza Mae 1 and 3, had to abort their mission after one of them had its outrigger damaged by the water cannon.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. earlier conveyed “in the strongest terms” to Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing the Philippines’ “outrage, condemnation, and protest” of the Ayungin Shoal incident.
Ayungin Shoal is part of the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG), which is an integral part of the Philippines, as well as the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and continental shelf, and over which the Philippines has sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction. (PNA) -rir
