(Eagle News)– Palace officials have announced that China would cooperate with President Rodrigo Duterte if he declares the disputed Panatag Shoal (Scarborough Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc) a marine sanctuary.
Duterte had introduced the idea to China’s President Xi Jinping when the two met during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Lima, Peru. Once affirmed, all fishing activities inside the shoal would be banned.
“Sabi niya (Xi), ‘We will mobilize government forces to promote our agreements, step up guidance to create a favorable environment,’” Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said.
National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon explained that turning the shoal into a marine sanctuary will be an effective way of cooling the territorial tension with China.
“Ang mangyayari kasi pag ginawa mong, ‘Win ako, lose ka’, walang mangyayari dun. Kailangan, lumalabas na outcome ay win-win,” Esperon explained. The Panatag Shoal is located in disputed waters in the West Philippine Sea, with Philippines and China claiming the area.
The President has said he will issue an executive order declaring the Panatag Shoal as a marine sanctuary. Once the executive order is issued, both Filipino and Chinese fishermen will no longer be allowed to fish inside Panatag Shoal.
“It is our position… not to have fishing activities inside the Triangle,” National Security Adviser Esperon said.
The Permanent Court of Arbitration had ruled in favor of the Philippines, concluding that the contested shoal is not under the sovereignty of any country, and is therefore an open fishing area. In October, Chinese coast guard vessels no longer hindered Filipino fishermen from entering the area following Duterte’s official visit to China.