Peaceful approach to Ayungin issue – Palace

MANILA, Philippines – The government intends to stick to a rules-based approach in resolving maritime disputes in the West Philippine Sea, including those involving the Ayungin Reef. 

In a radio interview on Saturday, May 25, Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the government has not changed its position, despite the warning from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) that the maritime tensions could lead to conflict, particularly with China’s armed patrols.

“We’ve chosen not to respond to provocative statements and provocative actions that may not be productive for the path that we’ve chosen to take. So deliberate ‘yung choices natin, na mapayapa ang ating pagdadaanan dito,” Valte added. (Our choices are deliberate, that we will choose the peaceful path.)

Valte also said the Aquino administration does not think it’s already necessary for the President to convene the National Security Council or a full Cabinet meeting as a result of the Chinese incursions. 

She added that the President is firm about continuing to deal with the issue given the limited resources that the Philippines has at present. 

Ayungin Reef, also known as Second Thomas Shoal, is a tiny group of islets and reefs in the Spratly Islands chain, about 200 kilometers (120 miles) northwest of Palawan, the nearest major land mass.

Ayungin is guarded by a handful of Philippine marines aboard a World War II-era ship that was deliberately grounded there in the late 1990s to serve as a base.

It is about 41 kilometers (25 miles) east of Mischief Reef, a Philippine-claimed outcrop that China occupied in 1995.

Second Thomas Shoal is within the Philippines’ internationally recognized exclusive economic zone, and surrounding waters are rich fishing grounds.

To address the problem of Filipino fishermen affected by the tension, Valte said they are asking the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) about any possible assistance the government can extend to the fishermen.

“In-assure naman tayo ng BFAR na una daw tinutulungan nilang maghanap ng iba pang lugar na puwede pangisdaan; at pangalawa, existing pa rin ‘yung mga payao na sinet up (set up) natin. Malapit ito sa pampang, para naman hindi sila kailangang lumabas at lumayo palaot,” Valte said.

(We were assured by BFAR that they are helping fishermen look for other fishing grounds. And second, the payaos that we set up are still there. They are close to the shore so fishermen don’t have to go too far out to sea.) A payao is a floating artificial reef that attracts fish. – Rappler.com