President Rodrigo Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping discussed the Philippines and China's overlapping claims in the Scarborough or Panatag Shoal but never reached an agreement as regards the matter, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon told reporters on Monday.
Esperon, however, said Duterte raised the issue of the Filipino's traditional fishing rights in the rich but disputed waters off the shoal and China appears to be respecting these rights.
“There was no expressed agreement but it seems like the traditional rights of our fishermen are being respected,” Esperon said in a phone interview with reporters.
Filipino fishermen were already able to sail and fish at the Panatag Shoal days after Duterte returned from his trip to China.
Esperon said no agreement was reached during the bilateral talks when Duterte raised the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration upholding the country's exclusive economic zone and the Filipinos' traditional fishing rights.
Esperon, however, said Duterte raised the issue of the Filipino's traditional fishing rights in the rich but disputed waters off the shoal and China appears to be respecting these rights.
“There was no expressed agreement but it seems like the traditional rights of our fishermen are being respected,” Esperon said in a phone interview with reporters.
Filipino fishermen were already able to sail and fish at the Panatag Shoal days after Duterte returned from his trip to China.
Esperon said no agreement was reached during the bilateral talks when Duterte raised the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration upholding the country's exclusive economic zone and the Filipinos' traditional fishing rights.
Xi, in turn, reportedly raised China's historical claims.
“Basta nag-usap ang dalawang presidente at hindi natapos yun dahil ang position ng China is may historical rights sila dun, tayo may historical rights tayo at saka nanalo tayo sa Arbitral Tribunal, yun ang position ni Digong (Duterte’s nickname)," Esperon said.
"Hindi sila nagtagal doon (sa issue) dahil marami silang ibang pag-uusapan so walang agreement,” he added.
Esperon said Duterte believed China would no longer chase Filipino fishermen at the Panatag Shoal despite the lack of any agreement.
“Hindi ko alam yung ibang agreement nila but naniniwala si Presidente na hindi na gagalawin yung ating fishermen doon dahil naibring up na ‘yung matter na ‘yun,” Esperon said.
“Historical right natin ‘yan e, saka part ng territory natin yan. Historical right and part of the 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone natin yan kasi 124 nautical miles lang e,” he said.
“Basta nag-usap ang dalawang presidente at hindi natapos yun dahil ang position ng China is may historical rights sila dun, tayo may historical rights tayo at saka nanalo tayo sa Arbitral Tribunal, yun ang position ni Digong (Duterte’s nickname)," Esperon said.
"Hindi sila nagtagal doon (sa issue) dahil marami silang ibang pag-uusapan so walang agreement,” he added.
Esperon said Duterte believed China would no longer chase Filipino fishermen at the Panatag Shoal despite the lack of any agreement.
“Hindi ko alam yung ibang agreement nila but naniniwala si Presidente na hindi na gagalawin yung ating fishermen doon dahil naibring up na ‘yung matter na ‘yun,” Esperon said.
“Historical right natin ‘yan e, saka part ng territory natin yan. Historical right and part of the 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone natin yan kasi 124 nautical miles lang e,” he said.
Source: gmanetwork
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