Esperon doubts if Chinese vessels near Pag-asa are unarmed

MANILA, Philippines — National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. has expressed his doubts on whether or not the Chinese vessels swarming Pag-asa (Thitu) are unarmed. 

These boats are tagged as Chinese fishing vessels, but defense strategists label them as maritime militia, which are usually stationary and are not actually fishing but stay there to sustain their assertive presence.

“Pwede naman nilang sabihin na cargo ship or fishing vessels ngunit hindi natin alam kung ano ang laman niyan. Palagay nating fishing vessels ‘yan, ang fishing vessel lalo na kung steel-hulled at malalaki ay maaring gamitin sa ibang paraan. Nakakabahala,” he said in a interview with DZBB on Thursday.

(The Chinese can say it’s a cargo ship or a fishing vessel but we don’t know what’s inside it. Let’s assume these are fishing vessels, but those are large and steel-hulled, it can be used for other purposes. That’s worrisome.)

READ: Critics rage against increased presence of China vessels

In April, Chinese ambassador to Manila Zhao Jianhua said the vessels were not loaded with weapons and were only meant for fishing. 

The Philippines has filed a diplomatic protest over the presence of 113 vessels near Pag-asa last July 25. As of Tuesday this week, Esperon said only three Chinese boats and one Coast Guard remained in the area.

READ: Chinese maritime militia: What can the Philippines do?

“Although mga fishing vessels ‘yan, kung tao sa tao lang, kung 113 (vessels) noong July 25, kung lalagyan mo ng minimum 10 people ay may 1,000 yan. Tao sa tao lang may magagawa na yan,” Esperon said.

(Even though they say it’s fishing vessels, if there are 113 vessels last July 25 and there are a minimum of ten people inside, then that’s around 1,000 people. Man-to-man, they would be capable.)

Esperon said Philippine authorities are unlikely to inspect the Chinese vessels swarming Pag-asa because it may lead to a possible confrontation similar to the incident at Scarborough Shoal in 2012. 

READ: Scarborough shoal standoff: A timeline

“Hindi natin i-board yang mga ‘yan for practical reasons. Baka magkaroon ng incident at magkagitgitan or show of force. Mas marami sila, meron silang PLA (People’s Liberation Army) Navy na nasa Subi Reef na 14 nautical miles,” he said.

(We’re not boarding those ships for practical reasons. There could be an incident or a confrontation.  We can be outnumbered because they have a PLA Navy in Subi Reef located 14 nautical miles away.)

“Baka ang mangyari dyan, tayo pa ang mapaalis. Balikan natin ‘yung nangyari sa Panatag (Scarborough Shoal). Hindi ba’t meron silang mga fishing vessels na pinuntahan natin doon with a Navy ship? So may dumating silang mga Coast Guard….Napag-usapan na mag pull out pareho pero hindi sila nag pull out. On that day, nawala na natin ang Scarborough,” Esperon said.

(We might end up being driven away. Let’s recall what happen at Panatag [Scarborough Shoal]. Didn’t they have fishing vessels that was boarded by our Navy? Then the Chinese Coast Guard arrived. It was discussed that both sides would pull out their respective vessels but they didn’t. On that day, we lost Scarborough.)

“So ang sinasabi ko, posible na mangyari ‘yun if we take that risk. (What I’m saying is, it’s possible if we take that risk),” he said.

The disputed shoal, a small ring of reefs, is located within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. Beijing took control of the shoal in 2012 after a standoff between Philippine and Chinese government vessels. /je

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