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75 concrete blocks spotted in Panatag Shoal

Alexis Romero - The Philippine Star
This content was originally published by The Philippine Star following its editorial guidelines. Philstar.com hosts its content but has no editorial control over it.

MANILA, Philippines - More concrete blocks have been spotted in the disputed Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal.

At least 75 concrete blocks were seen around the shoal by an aerial surveillance team last Monday, defense department spokesman Peter Galvez said yesterday.

“Each block (measures) two feet by two feet,” he said.

Galvez said it is possible that some of the concrete blocks were not seen during the surveillance conducted on Aug. 31. Officials reported that they then monitored 30 concrete blocks.

“These (blocks) can be easily dropped off from any platform,” Galvez said.

He said the blocks could be used as foundation for a structure and a prelude to construction activity.

Three Chinese coast guard ships were also monitored within the vicinity of the shoal.

Fishery?

Diplomatic sources, citing their own monitoring, said the concrete blocks would be used to build a fishery facility.

“From what we have gathered, China is planning to transform Panatag Shoal into a fishery production facility aside from being used as a forward naval station of its Navy. They need this to support their ongoing activities in the region,” one source said.

“All these activities in the region are but part of the Chinese military five-year plan to dominate the entire South China Sea,” the source added.

Another source said China’s military has formed a team that would oversee the construction in the unoccupied reefs and shoals in the South China Sea in line with its five-year development plan.

Panatag Shoal used to be a traditional fishing area for local fishermen.

China started shoring up its presence in Panatag Shoal on April 10, 2012, ignoring diplomatic protests by the Philippine government.

Not another Mischief Reef

Galvez assured the public that Panatag Shoal would not be another Mischief Reef or Panganiban Shoal, but could not say what the government would do to prevent Chinese occupation of the area.

He, however, hinted that the Philippines would again resort to diplomatic channels to assert its rights.

“At the moment we have the arbitration, the filing of our protest, so we are proceeding with that and this can be used, but anyway all necessary actions will be coordinated with the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs),” he said.

Panganiban or Mischief Reef, which China has been occupying since 1995, is about 70 nautical miles from Palawan.

China initially built structures on stilts at the reef, supposedly to provide shelter for fishermen, but these were later converted into a military garrison with powerful radars.

Among the structures reportedly built in the reef were a windmill, solar panels, a concrete platform suitable for helipad and a basketball court.

When asked what the military will do if China puts up more concrete blocks in Panatag, Galvez said: “We’ll get to that maybe later on but as of now, I can only provide you updates.” – With Evelyn Macairan, Marvin Sy, Jaime Laude

BLOCKS

CHINA

CONCRETE

DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

GALVEZ

JAIME LAUDE

MISCHIEF REEF

PANATAG SHOAL

SHOAL

SOUTH CHINA SEA

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