Hinikayat ng China nitong Martes ang Pilipinas na tigilan ang "provocations" sa South China Sea matapos sabihin ng Philippine Coast Guard na tinanggal nito ang floating barrier na inilagay ng Chinese upang mapigilan ang mga mangingisdang Pilipino na makapasok sa Scarborough Shoal.
"We urge the Philippines not to make provocations or seek trouble," ani China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Weibin sa press briefing sa Beijing.
Inihayag ito ni Wang bilang tugon sa tanong ukol sa pagbaklas sa floating barrier sa Scarborough Shoal.
Kinondena ng Manila ang pagkakabit ng 300-meter-long barrier sa bunganga ng lagoon ng Scarborough Shoal, isang rich fishing ground na tinatawag na Huangyan Island ng Chinese at Bajo de Masinloc ng mga Pilipino.
Ang shoal na isang U-shaped rocky outcrop na mayaman sa marine resources ay inagaw ang China sa Manila noong 2012, na nagresulta sa arbitration complaint ng Manila 10 taon na ang nakalilipas.
Binigyan ng presidential directive ang Philippine Coast Guard na alisin ang barriers ng China, base sa mga opisyal.
Nitong Lunes, sinabi ni Philippine Coast Guard Commodore Jay Tarriela na "the decisive action of the PCG to remove the barrier aligns with international law and the Philippines' sovereignty over the shoal."
Alinsunod ang special operation na alisin ang "hazardous floating barrier" sa West Philippine Sea (WPS) sa utos nina Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, na pinuno rin ng National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea, ani Tarriela.
"The so-called statement was what the Philippines told itself. China's resolve to safeguard its sovereignty and maritime rights and interests over Huangyan Island is unwavering," giit ni Wang.
Nauna nang inihayag ni Wang earlier na naglagay ng floating barrier upang mapigilan ang Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel na makapasok sa Scarborough Shoal.
"On September 22, without China's permission, a ship of the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, trespassed into the waters near Huangyan Island, and attempted to intrude into the lagoon of Huangyan Island," ani Wang.
"China's coast guard took the necessary measures to stop and warn off the ship in accordance with the law, which was professional and with restraint."
Kinondena ng Philippine officials ang pagkakabit ng China ng barrier at sinabing labag ito sa international law at soberanya ng bansa.
Iginiit ng Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary nitong Martes na ang pagtanggal sa floating barrier ng China sa Scarborough Shoal ay kahanay ng posisyon ng Pilipinas sa West Philippine Sea (WPS).
"Technically, since we have a right to practice our sovereignty and our sovereign rights, so it would have been consistent with our position, but we're still waiting for the full report [on its removal]," ani Manalo sa isang panayam.
ATTY. EDNA DEL MORAL – HN INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER/COLUMNIST
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