By Zaff Solmerin
BusinessMirror
BusinessMirror
A MILITARY official said on Thursday that the government now has satellite photographs showing that China has already started to build structures on the disputed Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal off Masinloc, Zambales.
“The defense and military establishments have already in their possession satellite photographs of what the Chinese were actually doing on our shoal. At least three Chinese big ships on a rotation basis are maintaining presence on the shoal aside from fishing boats that were unloading sacks of gravel, stone, cement and metals,” a senior officer said.
Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, during one of his media interviews, said the Chinese had already roped up the shoal to prevent Filipino fishermen from entering and fish inside the maritime area.
“Iyong tali na ginawang bakod ng mga Chinese sa Panatag ay kasing laki ng hita ng tao,” another source said, adding it would only take a “few more weeks” and new Chinese structures will soon rise on the shoal “with the Chinese flag flying.”
Manila and Beijing have locked horns over Panatag since April last year. The government initiated actions to deescalate the situation by withdrawing its ships, but China reneged from the agreement by not pulling out all its ships.
The disputed maritime area is within the municipality of Masinloc and well within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the country.
Aside from Panatag Shoal, China has also intruded into the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG), a municipality in Palawan, particularly on Ayungin Reef. The KIG is a series of seven islets and three reefs located in the Spratly Islands that China claims its own.
Other claimant countries include Taiwan, Vietnam, Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia.
More US warships visit PHL
TWO US Navy warships—the submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40) and the nuclear-powered submarine USS Asheville (SSN 758) will arrive in Subic Bay on June 7 and June 8, respectively, the US Embassy announced.
It is the second time for USS Frank Cable to visit the country this year.
“During their visit, the Frank Cable and Asheville will refuel and receive supplies, and the crew will be given opportunities for community service in nearby areas, as well as rest and recreation,” the US Embassy said.
The L.Y. Spear-class USS Frank Cable (AS-40) was commissioned in 1980. It is nearly 200 meters long and has a crew of 1,500. The Frank Cable serves as the US 7th Fleet’s mobile repair and support platform. The ship is named after Frank Taylor Cable, one of the pioneers in the development of submarines for the US Navy. It is homeported in Guam.
Named for the city of Asheville, North Carolina, and commissioned in 1991, the USS Asheville is a Los Angeles-class submarine. It is 91 meters long, and has a top speed of 32 knots underwater. The Asheville is homeported in San Diego, California.
Also, the US Pacific Command chief, Adm. Samuel J. Locklear III, arrived on Thursday for a meeting with his counterparts.
Locklear will stay in the country for two days.
Since January this year US warships that already visited the country include USS Freedom (LCS1), USS Tortuga (LSD46), USS Ohio, USS Decatur, USS Emory S. Land (AS39), USS Blue Ridge, USS Stockdale (DDG106), USS Cheyenne (SSN773) and USS Guardian (MCM5), that met its demise at Tubbataha Reef.
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