MANILA, Philippines – Not one Chinese vessel can be sighted at the disputed Panatag or Scarborough Shoal, a security official said.
The source, who asked not to be named, said there are “no more CFVs (Chinese fishing vessels) inside and at vicinity of the shoal.”
The official said, however, that three Chinese government ships, composed of two surveillance ships and a fisheries law enforcement vessel, are still at the premises, specifically two nautical miles east of the area.
The official did not say how the newest information was gathered although a Coast Guard Islander went to check on the area last Friday.
“Barriers to shoal no longer visible, no new structures observed,” the source said.
Late last month, the Philippine Navy reported that Chinese ships and fishing boats have returned to the area off Zambales.
Following an aerial surveillance by a Navy Islander plane, Navy flag officer-in-command Vice Admiral Alexander Pama said a total of 28 Chinese vessels and boats were spotted in and outside the lagoon.
These consist of three China maritime surveillance vessels, two Fisheries Law Enforcement Command ships, six fishing boats and 17 dinghies.
Pama had also reported that there were no Philippine ships stationed there after the government withdrew the vessels days ago due to bad weather.
Read this article: No more Chinese vessels in Panatag Shoal – ABS CBN News(source)
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