Palace: No pullout of Chinese students in Palawan university

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang denied yesterday a report that Chinese students set to enroll at the Palawan State University decided to back out upon the advice of their government.

According to deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte, they had confirmed with PSU president Jeter Servañez Sespeñe that the “students did not pull out.” 

A report earlier quoted Sespeñe that the Chinese government advised its students not to enroll at PSU.

The report said almost 300 Chinese students were supposed to enroll in the university this month and many of them were going to major in petroleum engineering.

Sespeñe said the tension between the Philippines and China caused by a territorial dispute over Panatag Shoal might have influenced the students’ decision to study elsewhere.

However, if the students changed their minds, PSU will allow them to enroll.

Chinese travel agencies have suspended tour packages to the Philippines while regulations for the entry of fruits being exported to China has also been tightened.

All these are being linked to the dispute over Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal between the Philippines and China.