Nababahala ang National Security Council (NSC) sa napaulat na presensya ng dalawang Chinese maritime research vessel na umaaligid sa Philippine Rise, na bahagi ng Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) ng Pilipinas.
Sa Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon, binigyang diin ni NSA Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya na dahil pasok sa EEZ ng bansa ang 24 na milyong hektarya ng undersea feature na ito, tanging Pilipinas lang ang may karapatang magsagawa ng pananaliksik sa lugar.
“Kami po sa National Security Council ay nababahala kami dito sa naging pagpasok di umano ng dalawang Chinese maritime research vessels because as declared clearly by the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, tayo lang – the Philippines is the only country that has rights over that area.” -ADG Malaya
Wala aniyang karapatan ang China o ano mang bansa na magsagawa ng research activities doon, nang hindi nagpapaalam sa pamahalaan ng Pilipinas.
“And in this case, itong dalawang marine research vessels na ito ay hindi po humingi ng pahintulot mula sa pamahalaan. And if they are conducting marine research in that area, that is an illegal act ‘no on the part of these two ships.” -ADG Malaya
Ayon sa opisyal, inatasan na ng NSA ang PCG at Philippine Navy, na imbestigahan ang ulat na ito upang alamin kung nagsagawa ba talaga ng illegal maritime research ang dalawang Chinese vessel o innocent passage, o dumaan lamang ang mga sasakyang pandagat na ito.
“What’s important for government is to determine kung ano ba talaga and we have already directed the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard to investigate and submit a report to the National Security Adviser, to the National Task Force West Philippine Sea Chairman, si Secretary Eduardo Año. So that if it is proven that they were loitering there and they were doing something which is not allowed – and we will have to recommend to the DFA for the filing of a formal diplomatic protest.” -ADG Malaya. | ulat ni Racquel Bayan
