UP scientists spot Chinese ships in Pag-asa as Beijing continues activities in PHL’s EEZ

A number of Chinese vessels are still stationed in Pag-asa island in Palawan province while the Chinese continue to conduct reclamation activities in the Spratlys' Subi Reef within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ), a group of marine scientists from the University of the Philippines said Wednesday.

According to a report by GMA News’ JP Soriano on “24 Oras” on Wednesday, the scientists made the discovery during a month-long marine expedition in Pag-asa island last month.

In a video provided by the scientists to GMA News, Chinese vessels are seen taking turns in being stationed about 13 nautical miles from Pag-asa island—and they were not observed fishing in the area.

"Naka-stop lang sila. Ang nakita lang namin nag papalit sila ng positions, kung may barkong umaalis may bagong dumadarating, pero it's the same positions that they were occupying. Hindi kami nakakita ng any fishing activity," said Assistant Professor Deo Florence Onda of UP’s Marine Science Institute.

His sentiments were echoed by the personnel of the Bureau of Fisheries and the Philippine Coast Guard, who joined the marine scientists in the expedition trip.

Likewise, the marine scientists reported that China’s encroachment of Subi Reef is undeniable, since the result of reclamation activities are visible even from Pag-asa island even if the island is 12 nautical miles away from Subi Reef.

“’Yung Subi Reef, medyo malayo na siya, pero despite its distance, kita mo pa din ang structure [made by the Chinese]. Mukha siyang maliit na city. It’s something that you cannot deny,” Onda added.

Maritime law expert Jay Batongbacal and GMA’s resident analyst Richard Heydarian called on authorities to take China to task over these illegal activities.

"'Yung naka stationary lang sila doon, walang ginagawa…’yan ay tinatawag na hovering. Hindi 'yun allowed sa territorial sea ng isang bansa based sa Unclos [United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas],” Batongbacal said.

"Ang sinasabi nila [na mga Chinese] wala kaming respeto sa sovereign claims niyo diyan,” Heydarian added.

In July 2016, the Hague-based UN Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in favor of the Philippines' petition by rejecting China's massive claim over the entire South China Sea and declaring the Spratly Islands, as well as the Panganiban (Mischief) Reef, Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal and Recto (Reed) Bank, all within the Philippines' EEZ.

President Rodrigo Duterte, however, has repeatedly shelved the unprecedented Hague ruling favoring the Philippines in exchange of warming up relations with China. — Llanesca T. Panti/BM, GMA News