Detained Chinese fishing boat: Philippines Presidency weighs in
Government says police were simply enforcing laws when foreigners were arrested
Manila: The Philippine presidency on Thursday backed local authorities who detained a Chinese fishing vessel near Palawan, arguing that police were simply enforcing the country’s laws when the foreigners were arrested.
“The action taken by the Philippine National Police (PNP) yesterday in apprehending a foreign fishing vessel was in accordance with its duty to enforce environmental protection and wildlife conservation laws while upholding Philippines’ sovereign rights over our exclusive economic zone,” Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Sonny Coloma said in a press briefing.
The statement from the palace follows an assertion by China that it has sovereign rights over the area where the Chinese fishing vessel was seized.
On Wednesday the Philippine National Police Maritime Group apprehended 11 Chinese fishermen and seized their cargo, including endangered sea turtles, in the Half Moon Shoal in Palawan.
“China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands and the adjacent waters, including the Banyue Reef (referred to by the Philippines as Half Moon Shoal),” Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying said during a press briefing in Beijing on Wednesday.
Half Moon Shoal in the Spratly island , is located just 60 nautical miles off the coast of Palawan.
Both the Philippines and China regard the Half Moon Shoal as part of their respective territories.
“The Chinese Foreign Ministry and the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines have lodged representations with the Philippine side, asking for rational explanation and an immediate release of the Chinese boat and its crew. We warn the Philippine side against taking any further provocative actions,” Hua said.
He added that the Chinese coast guard has deployed ships to the territory following the incident.
For its part, the Philippines argued that it has valid reasons to apprehend the vessel and its crew, all of whom reportedly have Chinese nationality.
Under the United Nations Convention on the Laws of the Sea (UNCLOS), an EEZ extends from the baseline shore of a certain island or archipelagic country, up to 200 nautical miles.
Fishing vessels, not just from China, but from territories such Taiwan and Vietnam, have been apprehended by Philippine law enforcers in the past.
The crews were eventually released after they were charged and made to pay fines.
What makes the current situation different from the past is the added factor of US presence amid disputes over territory in the South China Sea.
Along with the Philippines, China is also locked in disputes with Vietnam. Beijing figured in a scuffle over an area near the Paracel Islands, which is also located in the Spratlys.
Chinese vessels repelled the Vietnamese coast guards by bombarding their vessels using water cannons.
“China’s decision to introduce an oil rig accompanied by numerous government vessels for the first time in waters disputed with Vietnam is provocative and raises tensions,” US State Department Spokesperson Jen Psaki said.
“These events highlight the need for claimants to clarify their claims in accordance with international law, and to reach agreement on appropriate behavior and activities in disputed areas,” Psaki said.
US presence in the Philippines, the South China Sea and the Pacific in general, is expected to increase after Manila and US representatives signed the Enhanced Defence Cooperations Agreement (EDCA), a 10-year pact that basically outlines increased “rotational presence” of American forces in certain Philippines bases.
