RP stunned by report of Chinese warships in Spratlys

RP stunned by report of Chinese warships in Spratlys

MANILA (Agencies): The Philippine government was Monday
checking reports that China had deployed warships near the
disputed Spratly islands chain, saying it would be a "major
disturbance" if true.

President Gloria Arroyo's spokesman did not rule out a
diplomatic protest could be filed after The Washington Times
wrote that classified intelligence reports indicated a dozen
Chinese ships were seen in the Spratly area.

"If that report is true, it's a major development," spokesman
Rigoberto Tiglao said. "(It would be) a major disturbance to the
implicit agreement that we maintain that we don't disturb the
status quo of the Spratlys."

News of the increased naval activity follows an announcement
by the Manila government in April that it was investigating
reports about China fortifying structures it had built on
Mischief Reef, a reef claimed by Manila in the disputed island
chain.

Tiglao would not directly answer whether Manila would lodge an
official protest, saying the report still had to be verified.

The Washington newspaper said officials familiar with the
intelligence reports said the Chinese ship deployments included
Luhu-class destroyers.

The Philippines has been on guard for any Chinese attempts to
expand their presence in the Spratlys following China's
establishment in 1998 of fortified structures on Mischief Reef,
an outcrop claimed by both countries.

The Chinese say the structure is a fishermen's shelter but the
Philippines believes it has a military purpose.

The paper cited U.S. intelligence officials as saying the
warships were raising tensions between the Philippines and China
because they contradicted assurances from Beijing that it would
keep its naval vessels away from the Spratly islands.

The paper quoted U.S. officials speculating that China was
following the same pattern it used in occupying Mischief Reef,
sending first fishing vessels to the area, followed by the
deployment of warships.

China claims "indisputable sovereignty" over the disputed
Spratly Islands, in the South China Sea, which are believed to
sit on vast mineral resources. The island are claimed in whole or
part by the Philippines, China, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei. The
South China Sea is important for trade and commercial links in
the region.

Meanwhile, Taiwan Premier Chang Chun-hsiung on Monday called
for a peaceful settlement to territorial disputes in the South
China Sea amid reports Beijing is increasing naval deployments
there.

"We have been promoting peace in the South China Sea," Chang
said in his trip to the Tungsha Island, around a hundred miles to
the north of the disputed Spratly Islands group.

He urged countries in the region to tackle the dispute
according to the principles of "peaceful settlement, joint
exploration and sharing of resources."

Taiwan occupies Taiping Island, the largest of the Spratlys.

However Chang was also cautious about the lingering tensions
which military analysts have said could prove to be one of the
flashpoints in the region.

"We know the South China Sea issues are ever changing and
complicated. Training must be beefed up to safeguard the
sovereignty and territory," he said.

The Philippines has been on its guard for any Chinese attempts
to expand their presence in the Spratlys following China's
establishment in 1998 of fortified structures on Mischief Reef,
an outcrop claimed by both countries.

The Chinese say the structure is a fishermen's shelter but the
Philippines believes it has a military purpose.