The
West Philippine Sea is considered and has still remained the standing military flash
point in this part of the world.
Amidst
the colossal and modern construction of the Asian giant that is China, here we
are doing our own minor improvement works in our own occupied territory,
The
Department of National Defense headed by Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has
declared that all improvement works in Pag-asa island will continue despite
alleged Chinese surveillance.
 |
| DND Sec. Delfin Lorenzana during his 2017 occular inspection of the Philippine held territory- Pag Asa island in 2017 (photo credit to owner) |
"They
have been watching us for a long time but our projects are proceeding and will
continue until completed. They are not interfering naman (anyway)," Lorenzana said
The
Defense Secretary was reacting to reports that Chinese that abound the area are
doing constant surveillance and monitoring on the ongoing construction of the
island’s beaching ramp and repairs on its runway.
Armed
Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson, brig. Gen Edgard Arevalo said
while there are confirmed sightings of Chinese vessels in tha area, the number
is not as high as reported in mainstream media that is more than 600.
"Ang malinaw po diyan ay parang nagkaroon ng double counting. Kasi for one quarter - January, plus
February plus March, equals one quarter ay 627. Pero actually, some of the vessels
come in and go out. Kaya
ang binilang po natin iyong ‘bow number,’
iyong numero doon sa bow at iyon pong — meaning, sa harapan ng barko at ang total po noon (the front of the ships and the
total) is around 275 (for one quarter) (What is clear is there has been double
counting. Because for one quarter -- January, plus February, plus March, equal
one quarter -- is 627. But actually, some of the vessels come in and go out.
What we counted is the ‘bow number’, the number in the bow, the front of the
ships, and the total is around 275)," Arevalo said, adding that on the
average, the figure translates to more than 80 ships per month.
"At ang atin pong obserbasyon ay nandoon sila upang
magpakita ng kanilang presensiya. At the same time, meron po kasi tayong proyektong ginagawa diyan saPag-asa Island, naibabalita n’yo naman po iyan sa maraming
pagkakataon, at ang atin pong tingin dito ay kasama iyon sa kanilang
minamanmanan (Our observation
is that they are there to show their presence. At the same time, we have a
project there on Pag-asa Island. That has been reported several times, and the
way we see it is, that is part of what they are watching closely)," Arevalo added.
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Report from PNA
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