MANILA, Philippines- Magpapatuloy ang civilian mission sa West Philippine Sea (WPS) sa kabila ng naiulat ng malaking pwersa ng Chinese vessels patungong Scarborough Shoal, ayon sa organizers nitong Lunes.
Sinabi ni Rafaela David, co-convenor ng Atin Ito coalition, na itutuloy nila ang kanilang “peaceful voyage undeterred by any intimidation.”
“We will sail with determination, not provocation, to civilianize the region and safeguard our territorial integrity,” giit niya.
“The reported heavy presence of Chinese marine vessels in Bajo de Masinloc is lamentable, but not surprising. It only underscores the urgency of civilianizing the area in response to China’s militarization,” giit pa ni David.
Inihayag ito ng koalisyon matapos sabihin ni dating US Air Force official at dating defense attaché Ray Powell, na nagbabantay sa sitwasyon sa WPS, na nagpapadala ang China ng “huge force” upang harangan ang Scarborough Shoal bago ang civilian mission ng Pilipinas sa lugar.
“China is sending a huge force to blockade Scarborough Shoal ahead of the Atin Ito civilian convoy setting sail from the Philippines Tuesday. By this time tomorrow at least four coast guard and 26 large maritime militia ships on blockade (not counting ‘dark’ vessels),” ani Powell.
“This will be by far the largest blockade I’ll have ever tracked at Scarborough. China seems determined to aggressively enforce its claim over the shoal, of which it seized control from the Philippines in 2012 as summarized by AsiaMTI,” patuloy niya.
Sinabi naman ni Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela na ang ulat ni Powell ay isang “safe forecast.”
“That is a possibility na masabi natin na siguro kung ‘yan talaga ang tinutukoy ng AIS-assisted signals ng mga barkong ito, that would be a safe forecast,” wika nia sa isang panayam.
Ani Tarriela, titiyakin ng PCG ang kaligtasan ng mga kalahok sa civilian mission sa gitna ng presensya ng Chinese vessels sa lugar. RNT/SA
