ni Ronalyn Seminiano Reonico | April 4, 2021
Binuweltahan ng Chinese Embassy sa Manila ang naging panawagan ni Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana na pagpapaalis sa diumano'y maritime militia vessels ng China sa Julian Felipe Reef na bahagi ng West Philippine Sea at giit pa ng embahada, parte ito umano ng Nansha Islands.
Ang Julian Felipe Reef ay tinatawag na Niu'e Jiao sa Beijing. Iginiit din ng China na hindi militia vessels ang mga naturang barko kundi fishing vessels.
Pahayag ng embahada, "The Niu'e Jiao is part of China's Nansha Islands. The waters around Niu’e Jiao has been a traditional fishing ground for Chinese fishermen for many years. The Chinese fishermen have been fishing in the waters for their livelihood every year.
"It is completely normal for Chinese fishing vessels to fish in the waters and take shelter near the reef during rough sea conditions. Nobody has the right to make wanton remarks on such activities. "China is committed to safeguarding peace and stability in the waters and we hope that authorities concerned would make constructive efforts and avoid any unprofessional remarks which may further fan irrational emotions.”
Samantala, nauna nang iniulat ng awtoridad sa Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ang namataang 220 vessels sa Julian Felipe Reef noong March 7 na pinaniniwalaan ng awtoridad na maritime militia vessels. Ngunit, pinabulaanan kaagad ito ng Chinese Embassy at anila, nananatili lamang daw ang mga barko sa reef dahil sa “rough sea condition.”
Pahayag naman ni Lorenzana sa social media, “The Chinese Ambassador to the PH has a lot of explaining to do. There are still 44 Chinese vessels that are in Julian Felipe Reef. “I am no fool. The weather has been good so far, so they have no reason to stay there. These vessels should be on their way out. Umalis na kayo riyan.”