Philippine Leader Denies Asking For US Spy Planes

Philippine Pres. Benigno Aquino on Thursday denied reports he  asked the United States for spy planes to monitor a territorial dispute with China in the South China Sea.

Aquino told reporters his country had its own  ships and aircrafts to keep  eyes on the disputed Scarborough Shoal and that he had merely mentioned in an interview that US aircraft could be called upon for help if needed.

“If you will go through the transcript of the interview, I said ‘We might’ (ask for US help),” he said.

“That is where (the interviewers) suddenly introduced the supposed request for overflights, which wasn’t what I stated.”

Aides said Aquino had made the remarks during an interview with a foreign news agency. 

Subsequent reports of the president’s alleged request for US spy planes raised concerns within China, with the country warning the Philippines against provocation over the three-month stand-off between the two countries.

“Let us correct that. America is a treaty ally. Where we are lacking in capacity, I think we can go to them and ask that they increase (our) situational awareness,” Aquino said Thursday.

The shoal stand-off began in April when Chinese vessels prevented the Philippine Navy from arresting Chinese fishermen encroaching on  the Filipinos’ claim is  part of their country’s territory.

China claims nearly all of the South China Sea, even waters close to the coasts of neighboring countries.

In addition to the whole  Scarborough Shoal, the Philippines also claims parts of the Spratlys archipelago. It says the shoal is well within its 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone.

The two countries are pressing their respective claims to the area, with the  Philippines seeking  support of its main defense ally, the United States of America.

Aquino remarked Thursday that the Philippines had withdrawn its own ships from the shoal almost three weeks ago, but Chinese ships are still in the area.

“If their vessels had also gone home... there would be no more issue. So who is prolonging the issue?” he  asked.

Meanwhile, the Philippines announced Thursday it had filed a diplomatic protest with China over Beijing’s establishment of a new prefecture called “Sansha” to administer disputed territories in the South China Sea.

Philippine foreign ministry spokesman Raul Hernandez said Sansha’s establishment violated Manila’s claim to the Scarborough Shoal, parts of the Spratly islands, and other areas within the South China Sea. /MP