Has China left Scarborough Shoal? US and PH to confirm

10/30/2016 | 8:33 0 Posted in Local Issues, Peace talks, Regional

Scarborough shoal

PIC COURTESY: PHILSTAR

A result that was a distant dream for the Filipino fishermen and the hope of the ASEAN region did fructify or so it is reported. Now, all that remains is to verify whether the reports that have reached the Philippine government are true or not. If they are true, it can be a reason to celebrate for the Filipino fishermen since this is a shoal that is loaded with fish.
The credit for this achievement cannot be claimed solely by any one person though it can be certainly stated that, perhaps, President Duterte’s version of diplomacy had cajoled China to do the right thing due to a shrewd policy that is leading to the distancing of the Philippines from the United States.
The former Aquino government also deserves a slice of the credit since they set the ball rolling with their approach to the International Arbitral Tribunal but we Pinoys are having a common goal as far as national interest is concerned.
It would seem from reports emanating from the Scarborough Shoal that the unthinkable has transpired at last; reports have reached the authorities in Manila that the Chinese have given up the possession of this vital shoal that has an abundance of marine life and has great commercial riches.
This shoal which is an area of high yields of fish was grabbed by China in 2012 and was part of the territorial award by the International Tribunal of the Laws of the Sea in July 2016.
Initial reaction of the Chinese was defiant till now and, if the reports about the relinquishing of possession are indeed true, it will be the first concrete step in the direction of compliance by the Chinese juggernaut who had till now not agreed to acknowledge the ITLOS tribunal’s award.
An, it will also be a beginning in the regional and international diplomacy with this being the first compliance by China.
Hence, the United States and Filipino governments are now on fact-finding missions to the area to ascertain the authenticity of the source information that claims that China has moved from the Scarborough Shoal and its ships have not been seen near the shoal over the past few days.
While expressing satisfaction at the news, if it was true, the Secretary of Defense for the Philippines Delfin Lorenzana explained that it had been reported by the Filipino Coast Guard authorities that they had not spotted any Chinese vessels or officials in the vicinity of the shoal over the last three or four days.
The process of verifying the authenticity of this source information had already been initiated by the authorities if the Philippines. Lorenzana intimated that the Air Force of the Philippines had been instructed to carry out aerial surveillance of the area of the shoal so that the authenticity of this news could be established.
The aerial surveillance started yesterday and
The seizure
The seizure of the Scarborough was effected by the Chinese navy in 2012 amid a tense situation in which the Filipinos had to blink; with this takeover, the fishermen from the Philippines were not allowed to fish there. The Chinese Coast Guards had resorted to strong-arming and driving away the fishermen from the Philippines who dared to come near the shoal.
This has been a major source tension in the area along with another irritating development in the Spratlys where the Chinese bullies embarked on a construction program and raised up artificial islands out of the sea bed and enforcing them.
The United States State department has also initiated the process of verifying the news of Chinese not being seen near the shoal. Even if the news is true, it would be very difficult to confirm as to what the Chinese intentions are.
The thaw
The recent state visit of the President to the Chinese mainland was conducted in an air of cordiality and it was agreed that the process of deciding on the territorial disputes would be done through extensive dialogues and mutual consultation.
There has been some thawing of the relations between the neighbors and it is anticipated that there will be some positive developments as the relations improve between the neighbors.
He did however not agree that the Philippines had no claim over the shoal.
Confirming the exact ground situation at the Scarborough Shoal will take some time and so also will be untangling the situation.
Lorenzana also expressed the hope that the Filipino fisher may soon have access to their traditional fishing grounds as stated by President Duterte.