Carmela Fonbuena
The Philippine government is also told: 'Any negotiation to access Scarborough is a mistake because that is already your territory'
MANILA, Philippines – Experts warned the Philippine government to remain vigilant against China's actions in the Scarborough Shoal (Panatag Shoal), saying the relatively peaceful situation now may only be temporary.
The Chinese Coast Guard recently stopped harassing Filipino fishermen in the shoal.
"Within last week or so there has been some retreat by the Chinese in Scarborough Shoal. I would suggest that it is a temporary reaction on the part of China," retired US Navy Captain Raul Pedrozo said during an academic conference at the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Law on Monday, November 14, to tackle the historic arbitration case between Manila and Beijing.
The Philippines was also cautioned against weakening its position on ownership of the shoal in exchange for fishermen's access to the fishing ground.
Scarborough is located off the coast of Zambales province, well within the country's 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
"Scarborough Shoal is clearly a sovereign of the Philippines... Any negotiation to access Scarborough is a mistake because that is already your territory," Pedrozo added.
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