By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Apparently emboldened by the “gentleman’s agreement” between former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping, the China Coast Guard (CCG) has continued its harassments on Philippine vessels.
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, on Monday said a CCG vessel has been “monitoring, tailing” the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) vessel BRP Hydrographer Ventura and its Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) escort BRP Gabriela Silang, which have been conducting a week-long hydrographic survey in the north-western Luzon area.
“Hindi totoo ‘yong sinasabi ng China na they are only deploying their vessels on those areas na hindi tayo nagho-honor ng gentleman’s agreement,” Tarriela told reporters in a press briefing.
Duterte has admitted having a “gentleman’s agreement” with Xi to keep the “status quo” at Ayungin Shoal, where the rusty BRP Sierra Madre is grounded since 1999 during the administration of then President Joseph “Erap” Ejercito Estrada.
This developed even as US President Joe Biden is seeking $128 million in congressional allocation budget to execute projects for Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites in the Philippines.
“It just goes to show na ang China Coast Guard, nagde-deploy din sila in other areas sa exclusive economic zone natin para i-impose ‘yong paniniwala nila na legitimate ang nine-dash line,” Tarriela said.
The PCG official maintained the Philippines’ right to carry out research in its territory within the 200-nautical miles exclusive economic zone, as ruled by the 2016 arbitral award.
“And yet, China Coast Guard vessel is there monitoring our presence within our own exclusive economic zone that is like 650 nautical miles away from them,” he lamented.
(el Amigo/MNM)
