PH ships’ pullout from Scarborough Shoal won’t weaken claim—DND

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of National Defense has maintained that the pullout of Philippine vessels from Scarborough Shoal will not weaken Philippine sovereignty over the area.

DND spokesman Peter Galvez said the safety of the Coast Guard and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources personnel was “paramount” and that there were other means to monitor activities in the disputed shoal.

“If the only concern is looking into the area, there are many ways of monitoring,” Galvez said.

“It will not weaken our claim over the area,” he stressed, adding that “the safety of our sailors is still paramount.”