Manila, Philippines – The Philippine government continues to monitor China’s action to establish a nature reserve in Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea.
According to Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Romeo Brawner Jr., Beijing’s plan is a clear pretense in occupying part of the ocean.
Brawner assured that there will be no repeat of Beijing’s actions like what happened in Mischief Reef or better known as Panganiban Reef.
Mischief Reef is within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines, but China occupied it in the 1990s where it has already built a military base.
Last month, the Chinese government announced that it had approved the establishment of a National Nature Reserve in Scarborough Shoal, saying it was an important guarantee to preserve the ecosystem in the ocean.
Beijing has not yet commented on Brawner’s statement.
But the Philippine government initially opposed China’s plan, and instead demanded compensation for the damage caused by Chinese ships in waters under Manila’s jurisdiction.—Alvin Pelobello, Eurotv News