TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 2001

Manila protests entry into disputed shoal

MANILA, Philippines (AP) - The Philippines has filed a protest to China over the entry into a disputed shoal of Chinese boats which allegedly engaged in destructive fishing methods, an official said Monday.

Foreign Undersecretary Lauro Baja said Philippine officials relayed the protest to Chinese Ambassador Wang Chungyi late last week.

Vice President Teofisto Guingona summoned Wang on Thursday to express concern over increasing numbers of Chinese fishing boats seen at Scarborough Shoal.

Scarborough, a rich fishing ground in the South China Sea off the western coast of the Philippines' main Luzon Island, is claimed by both Manila and Beijing.

National Security Adviser Roilo Golez said the public should not be alarmed by the planned protest, citing similar Philippine actions against China in the past.

"This is simply telling the country that we're protecting our territory and the endangered species in that area," he said in a radio interview.

The protest would enable China to advise fishermen not to intrude into Philippine territory, Golez said.

A Chinese Embassy spokeswoman, Wang Luo, reacted by reiterating that the shoal, which they refer to as Huangyan Island, is China's.

"It has been our consistent position that Huangyan Island and adjacent waters have been an integral part of Chinese territory," she said.

Golez said the number of Chinese fishing boats monitored at Scarborough has grown from three or so to as many as 18 in recent weeks. He said Chinese divers have also been monitored scouring the depths of the sea either to catch fish or undertake a survey. He said Chinese fishermen not only entered illegally but also engaged in destructive fishing methods.

He cited the seizure by the navy of dynamites sticks, cyanide powder and sackloads of dried clams and live eels from 10 Chinese fishing boats inspected at Scarborough Shoal last week.

Dynamites are used in gathering fish and corals. Cyanide is used to stun tropical fish so they can be caught live and sold in pet shops or seafood restaurants.

Aside from the dispute over Scarborough, China and the Philippines, along with Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam, have conflicting claims over the Spratlys, a chain of islands, atolls and reefs in the South China Sea.

 

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