By Junex Doronio

MANILA — Taking notice of the changing of narratives of China in justifying its provocative actions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela on Saturday (04 May 2024) reiterated that the country did not have a “temporary special arrangement” with China at the Bajo De Masinloc, also known as the Scarborough Shoal.

Without naming names, the PCG top official also assailed some individuals who tried to sow fear that the Philippines will be “another Ukraine” if war erupts with China as he emphasized that the military follows the chain of command, with the President and Commander-in-Chief giving the marching order “not to be provoked” in the face of Chinese incursions into the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

“Huwag na tayo magpabudol sa Chinese Embassy… Huwag tayong magpaloko dahil pinag-away-away lang nila tayo,” Tarriela said at the Saturday News Forum held at Dapo Restaurant in Quezon City.

He noted China’s changing of narratives such as the “gentleman’s agreement” for the Ayungin Shoal and now the “temporary special arrangement” for the Bajo de Masinloc.

In a statement on Thursday (2 May 2024), the Chinese Embassy in Manila claimed that, in 2016, China had set a temporary special arrangement in the Scarborough Shoal with Philippine fishers and other agencies.

“According to the temporary special arrangements by the Chinese side in 2016, Filipino fishermen can fish with small fishing boats in designated waters except the lagoon of Huangyan Dao,” the Chinese Embassy claimed.

But the PCG commodore clarified that the Philippines did not recognize the 12-nautical-mile “red line” in the Scarborough Shoal which China claimed was based on the “temporary special arrangement” allegedly arrived at in 2016.

“Let us not be influenced by [China’s] fabricated stories once again, which aims to confuse the Filipino people and divert the public discourse from the real issue of their harassment and provocative actions in Bajo De Masinloc,” Tarriela said.

In 2016, an international arbitration tribunal in the Hague said China’s claims had no legal basis. Beijing refuses to honor the decision up until now.

(el Amigo/MNM)