One Chinese vessel pulled out of Scarborough Shoal–DFA

MANILA, Philippines—One of three Chinese vessels pulled out of Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal, Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary and Spokesman Raul Hernandez said Friday.

“We were told by the Chinese that one of their ships pulled out to get some supplies. So, they have two there and our Coast Guard,” Hernandez said adding that  country’s warship BRP Gregorio Del Pilar pulled out to get some supplies.

Hernandez added that  Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario and Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Ma Keqing would meet again today, Friday, to discuss the issue.

The two met last Tuesday but was not able to come up with a solution on the matter with the Chinese government insisting that Panatag Shoal is part of their territory.

“Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal is clearly part of our territory. We pointed to them that the Shoal  is within the 200 nautical miles exclusive economic zone and 124 nautical miles from Zambales and the Chinese fishermen are doing an illegal activity in our territory thus, they have to be stopped,” he said.

“What is important right now is that there is continuous talk between the two governments to settle the matter diplomatically,” Hernandez said.

Currently, he said there were no movements and no provocations in the area.