4 Chinese vessels stuck in Spratlys

Four Chinese fishing vessels are currently stuck in the disputed Scarborough Shoal, prompting Manila and Beijing to exchange warnings on the matter to avoid another encounter as Philippine Navy vessels arrived there to conduct patrols, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday.

Acting Foreign Affairs Secretary Lauro Baja Jr. said a Chinese Embassy official went to his office Tuesday to inform the DFA about the presence of the Chinese vessels in Scarborough.

A Philippine Air Force reconnaissance plane spotted the vessels there last Jan. 15.

The Chinese Embassy said the fishermen could not leave because of inclement weather.

To avoid any encounter, Baja said the Navy officers were merely asked to inspect the vessels that were anchored in the shoal.

But Baja said the DFA told the Chinese authorities to get the vessels out of Scarborough.

He said PAF planes and Navy vessels were in Scarborough as part of maritime sovereignty patrols. — Aurea Calica