MANILA, Philippines — A former lawmaker has reminded local authorities that China cannot be trusted on territorial matters, as the global superpower’s strategy may be similar to what it did to the Mischief Reef west of Palawan.
Former Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers recalled that China first claimed that the structures it was building were meant for the fisherfolk, only for it to turn them into military installations later on.
In a statement, Barbers said that both the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Philippine Navy (PN) should not “blink” or take for granted China’s positioning over Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) west of Zambales.
This comes after the recent discovery of a floating platform in the area.
According to Barbers, China also claimed in 1995 that it was only constructing a shelter for the fisherfolk at Mischief Reef (Panganiban Reef), but the same structures turned from huts into a heavily militarized zone.
“The reef is now fortified with naval ports, radar systems, military hangars, and runways. It now serves as an advanced monitoring and operational military hub for China,” the former legislator said.
“If the Chinese government tricked Filipinos and the international community with what they did in 1995 with Mischief Reef – from fishermen’s shelter to military fortress, it’s likely that they will use the same playbook for what they are doing in Bajo de Masinloc,” he added.
Aside from floating platforms, there are several vessels from the Chinese Coast Guard, Navy, and civilian militia boats that were seen near Bajo de Masinloc, which Barbers said may have been used for their “underwater research and exploration.”
Barbers said China must not be trusted even more when it comes to Bajo de Masinloc, since the country might eventually develop the area with more ambitious structures.
“We should not trust them, because if we allow them to continue or if we close our eyes for a while, we might be surprised to see that there are oil rigs or other structures built by China there at Bajo de Masinloc, similar to the oil rig in Malampaya, Palawan,” the former House member warned.
“Therefore, our Coast Guard and Philippine Navy should not blink, be vigilant 24/7, and must not trust China’s suspicious naval activities in the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc,” he added.
Last June 13, House lawmakers condemned China’s deployment of a floating platform and other structures near Bajo de Masinloc, warning that the move could further escalate tensions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
“The People’s Republic of China’s actions are a direct assault on our sovereignty and a dangerous escalation that threatens regional peace and stability,” the House’s Young Guns bloc said in a statement.
The lawmakers cited findings from the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS), Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine Coast Guard, which stated that China had installed a movable 6-by-6-meter floating platform inside the shoal, along with additional floating buoys, communication antennas and other structures.
READ: Solons condemn China’s floating platform in Bajo de Masinloc
Mamamayang Liberal party-list Rep. Leila de Lima, meanwhile, said that China’s actions have historically followed a pattern where temporary civilian or research activities evolve into sustained occupation and the construction of permanent facilities.
“It is, therefore, neither alarmist nor speculative to question the true purpose and long-term implications of this newly deployed floating platform,” she said.
Aside from lawmakers, a group of generals and flag officers expressed grave concern over China’s deployment of a floating platform.
In a statement last June 15, the Association of General and Flag Officers (AGFO) called the deployment of the floating platform an infringement of Philippine sovereignty.
READ: PH generals, flag officers condemn China platform at Scarborough Shoal
According to the group, the Philippines cannot accommodate strategies in which temporary objects or platforms “could serve as precursors to illegal island-building and militarization.”
But the Guo Wei, the deputy spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy to the Philippines, questioned claims that they ‘militarized’ the Mischief Reef, saying that the “defense installations” were placed on “China’s own territory.”
“To slander the construction of defense facilities on China’s own territory as ‘militarization’ is a textbook case of double standards,” Guo said.
“China’s defense installations on the relevant features are necessary and limited, constituting the right of self-defense that a sovereign state enjoys under international law,” the official said.
“On the contrary, it is certain individuals on the Philippine side who have been the driving force behind the militarization of the South China Sea,” he noted.
“Deliberately twisting the remarks of Chinese leaders regarding having no intention to militarize the South China Sea features is a classic example of quoting out of context and framing a false narrative,” he added.
According to Guo, the arbitral ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration — which awarded to the Philippines exclusive rights over its territorial waters as China’s nine-dash line had no historical and legal basis — is wrong in stating that Mischief Reef is a low-tide elevation that belongs to the Philippines.
“Nansha Qundao, including Meiji Jiao, is China’s inherent territory, over which China has indisputable sovereignty,” the official claimed.
“The so-called Arbitral Tribunal’s wrongful characterization of Meiji Jiao as a “low-tide elevation” and its claim that such a feature cannot be appropriated is an utterly fallacious assertion that completely disregards both China’s claims and international law,” Guo further remarked.
“The construction activities China has undertaken on the relevant features of the Nansha Qundao are carried out on its own territory, primarily aimed at improving the working and living conditions of personnel stationed there, and better fulfilling China’s international responsibilities and obligations,” he added. /apl
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