Manila mulls another media tour

Manila mulls another media tour

MANILA (Reuter): The Philippines said yesterday it may allow a second media tour of the disputed Spratly islands despite warnings by China the first was a provocation that should not be repeated.

"We are willing to bring another batch or more of our Manila- based reporters and foreign journalists to the Spratlys depending on the demand and the level of interest," Foreign Secretary Domingo Siazon told reporters.

A May 11-17 tour organized by the Philippine Defense Ministry for 38 journalists sparked a row between Manila and Beijing. China denounced the trip as a violation of Chinese sovereignty, but President Fidel Ramos brushed aside the protest.

Two Chinese ships harassed the Philippine navy ship carrying the journalists near Mischief Reef, which was occupied by China last February but is also claimed by Manila.

Ramos sent a special envoy to Beijing in a bid to defuse the tension caused by the confrontation in the area.