China won’t touch PH areas in Spratlys’

 

 

About two weeks ago, a Chinese newspaper said China might seize the areas occupied by the Philippines in the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea this year.

 

The nine areas occupied by Filipino troops form part Palawan’s Kalayaan town. The seat of government of Kalayaan town is Pag-asa island where the military put up Air Force and Navy facilities.

 

The Spratly Islands is a chain of islands and islets, believed to be rich in oil and minerals deposits, is claimed in part or in whole by the Philippines, China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei and Vietnam.

 

“It may be a remote possibility. They will be looking for headache if they do that,” the official said. “We are occupying more or less nine islands. We will resist if they enter (our occupied areas),” he said.

 

The official also said he expects the international community to side with the Philippines in the event China seizes the islands occupied by the Philippines.

 

“More or less the international opinion will be on our favor. But of course, our important ally is the US. They will not take this sitting down,” he said.

 

The Philippines has a Mutual Defense Treaty with US. The treaty mandates both sides to defend each other in case of an armed attack on “metropolitan territory” or island territories” under their jurisdiction or on their armed forces, public vessels or aircraft.

 

The official also said he believes China will continue with its provocative acts in the dispute. He cited China’s recent imposition of a fishing ban and a naval exercise involving two destroyers and an amphibious landing ship.

 

“Their provocations and daring, bold acts - short of going to war - are continuing. They will continue that. These (provocations) includes the imposition of controversial regulations,” he said.

 

On the fishing ban in the disputed areas, the official asked should Filipino fishermen should seek a permit from China to fish when they are fishing inside the Philippine territory.

 

“Why should we secure a permit from them...That’s part of their strategy. If you do that, you will recognize their sovereignty in the area. We are not that foolish to do that,” he said.