China plans to board Philippine ships
THE commander of the military's Western Command yesterday protested a reported plan of China to board and search ships that will enter its claimed territories in the South China Sea or West Philippine Sea.
"That's a violation of the international passage," said Lt. Gen. Juancho Sabban, commander of Wescom which is in charge of protecting the country's interest in the disputed area.
"That's too much. While we are exerting all peaceful means (to solve the territorial dispute), that is what they are doing," he also said.
The Department of Foreign Affairs declined to comment.
"We need to get more information on that. There are details that we need to find out before we could comment on that," said DFA Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez.
"If it is true, it will pose a concern to the Philippines and the international community," he also said.
He said media should ask the Chinese Foreign Ministry or the Chinese embassy.
The Chinese Embassy usually does not immediately answer questions. If it does, it comes in the form of a statement that is issued days later.
Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the Chinese national government should be asked if the position of the Hainan provincial government is the position of Chinese national leadership.
"Instead of asking the Philippine government to comment on a position taken by a local Chinese government official, why doesn't the press ask the Chinese Foreign Ministry or the Chinese Embassy here and confirm if that is also the position they are adopting?" Lacierda said, asking the same question asked by Hernandez.
The China Daily yesterday said that starting January 1, police in Hainan will board and search ships that China considers its territorial waters in the South China Sea, seize control of the ships and order them to change course or stop sailing. Hainan administers China's claims to the islets and atolls in the South China Sea.
China is claiming the whole Spratly Islands, a chain of islands and islets believed in the South China Sea, which is believed rich in oil and minerals deposits. The Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei and Vietnam are claiming parts of the islands and have stationed their troops.
Philippine troops are occupying nine islands including Pag-asa which is about 200 nautical miles of Puerto Princesa City.
Sabban, asked how the military would secure ships that may pass the territorial waters being claimed by China, said, "We have regular patrols (there). We have the Navy and the Coast Guard in the area."
Last week, Sabban visited the troops stationed at the nine Philippine-occupied areas in the Spratlys. It took Sabban four days to complete the visit of the nine islands, the first time for any Wescom commander.
He told the troops "to keep our flag flying mighty. (http://is.gd/8EiHIl)
Malaya
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