From InterAksyon (Jan 13): DFA won't comment on report about China's plan to seize Pag-asa Island from PH
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InterAksyon file photo of Pag-asa Island.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday said it would not comment on reports regarding China's plans to seize Pag-asa Island from the Philippines this year.
DFA spokesperson Raul Hernandez told reporters in a text message that the department normally does not want to comment on reports that come out in the media.
"But we do comment on official pronouncement by governments all over the world that would affect the interest of the country," Hernandez said.
"We don't comment on news articles that have unnamed and unofficial sources," he added.
Over the weekend, state-owned China Daily Mail said Chinese Navy had a combat plan to take over Pag-asa Island.
The report said the plan aims to recover an island "stolen" by the Philippines from China.
But it clarified that there would be "no invasion into Filipino territories."
The source of the report, which was translated from Mandarin on China Daily Mail, was titled "Sudden major move of Chinese troops this year to recover Zhongye Island by force."
Pag-asa Island is the largest island in the contested Spratly Islands, a resource-rich region in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea. It is being claimed by Beijing, Manila, Hanoi, Taipei, Kuala Lumpur, and Bandar Seri Begawan.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/78619/dfa-wont-comment-on-report-about-chinas-plan-to-seize-pag-asa-island-from-ph
InterAksyon file photo of Pag-asa Island.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday said it would not comment on reports regarding China's plans to seize Pag-asa Island from the Philippines this year.
DFA spokesperson Raul Hernandez told reporters in a text message that the department normally does not want to comment on reports that come out in the media.
"But we do comment on official pronouncement by governments all over the world that would affect the interest of the country," Hernandez said.
"We don't comment on news articles that have unnamed and unofficial sources," he added.
Over the weekend, state-owned China Daily Mail said Chinese Navy had a combat plan to take over Pag-asa Island.
The report said the plan aims to recover an island "stolen" by the Philippines from China.
But it clarified that there would be "no invasion into Filipino territories."
The source of the report, which was translated from Mandarin on China Daily Mail, was titled "Sudden major move of Chinese troops this year to recover Zhongye Island by force."
Pag-asa Island is the largest island in the contested Spratly Islands, a resource-rich region in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea. It is being claimed by Beijing, Manila, Hanoi, Taipei, Kuala Lumpur, and Bandar Seri Begawan.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/78619/dfa-wont-comment-on-report-about-chinas-plan-to-seize-pag-asa-island-from-ph