Defense Department Denies Chinese Reclamation In Panatag Shoal

DND Denies Chinese Reclamation In Panatag Shoal

Chinese Reclamation In Panatag Shoal – The Department of National Defense (DND) has denied the reports saying that China has been doing reclamation activities in the disputed Scarborough or Panatag Shoal in the seas of Zambales.

In a report by PhilStar, Defense Undersecretary Eduardo del Rosario said during a session of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee that the Armed Forces Northern Luzon Command and the Navy claimed that there was “no reclamation in the area.”

But, Del Rosario clarified that in other areas, there are reclamation activities but, not in Scarborough Shoal specifically.

Chinese Reclamation In Panatag Shoal

“Perhaps in other areas, not in Bajo de Masinloc,” said Del Rosario as quoted in the report.

The report added that the according to Del Rosario, the Navy has spotted four Chinese coast guard vessels and two fishing vessels in the said area last September 18, 2016.

The said Senate probe is being done as part of the said destructive mining in Zambales which started from 2013 wherein, according to the report, the soil from the mountains in Zambales have been used for the reclamation activities of China in their “self-claimed territory”.

The said operations are being alleged by Governor Amor Deloso over the past governor.

In the report, Deloso accused the former Governor Hermogenes Ebdane of “selling two and a half mountain” located in the town of Sta. Cruz to the Chinese.

The said area has been said to be the source of rocks and soil needed for the reclamations of a 3,500-hectare island at the disputed area.

Ebdane denied the allegations saying that he “could not sell something he does not own”.

“The so-called presence of the Chinese military is ridiculous. Perhaps an overflight by the Philippine Air Force can confirm the veracity of the same,” he said.

After Deloso said that to the panel that he had no personal knowledge of the alleged reclamation, and said that he based his information on a report in a newspaper, Senate Blue Ribbon committee chairman Sen. Richard Gordon scolded him, saying:

“You know statements had been made here, and now you’re saying I’ve no personal knowledge. The chair admonishes you, therefore, Governor Deloso, that you should not make statements unless you have personal knowledge,” said Gordon as quoted in the report.

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