The MY Sarangani, an archaeological survey vessel, was caught in a standoff between China and the Philippines over their disputed ownership of the Scarborough/Panatag Shoal earlier this week. The vessel was reportedly conducting salvage over a Chinese shipwreck.
PH files protest vs Chinese harassment of research boat in Scarborough Shoal
Philippine Inquirer, 16 April 2012
China urges Philippine archaeological vessel to leave Huangyan Island
People’s Daily Online, 17 April 2012
China wants PHL archaeological vessel out of Panatag Shoal
GMA Network, 17 April 2012
Dispute with China continues; Philippines stands firm
Business World Online, 17 April 2012
In Standoff, China Tells Philippines to Leave Scarborough Shoal
New America Media, 17 April 2012
Philippines ignores China demand to quit shoal
Philippine Inquirer, 19 April 2012
Philippine archaeological ship leaves troubled West Philippine Sea
Philippine Inquirer, 19 April 2012
PHL archaeological vessel leaves Panatag Shoal
GMA News
The Philippines lodged on Monday a diplomatic protest over the “acts of harassment” by Chinese ships and aircraft of the MY Saranggani, a Manila-registered vessel doing archaeological research in the Scarborough Shoal area.
Raul Hernandez, the Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman, said “such actions are in violation of the sovereign right and jurisdiction of the Philippines to conduct marine research in the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone.”
“The Philippines demanded that the Chinese ships and aircraft cease the harassment of the vessel so that its crew can complete its work,” Hernandez told the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
According to Hernandez, the DFA “filed the protest through Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Ma Keqing.”
“Any attempted action by the Chinese ships or aircraft against the Saranggani will be considered by the Philippines as a gross violation of its national laws and of international law,” he warned.
Full story here, and on the links above.
