6 Chinese ships still in Panatag

MANILA, Philippines - China has maintained its presence in Panatag Shoal despite the Philippines' pull out of its vessels from the disputed territory in the West Philippine Sea.

A security official said the vessels, which all appeared to be guarding the shoal despite rought seas, include three Chinese Maritime Surveillance (CMS) vessels and three Fishery Law Enforcement Command.

“There are still six Chinese ships in the area,” said the security official, who declined to be named. He said that the surrounding seas in the shoal were very rough on Tuesday.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday clarified that China and the Philippines only agreed to stay out of the lagoon of the disputed shoal.

"Both sides agreed there will be no more ships inside the lagoon," ABS-CBN News Channel quoted DFA spokesperson Raul Hernandez as saying in its Twitter account.

Hernandez added that the issue of having ships outside the lagoon "will be subject to future consultations."

President Benigno Aquino III ordered the pull out of ships of the Philippine Coast Guard and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Services from Panatag Shoal as a strong typhoon approached the Philippines.

The Philippines said that it will reevaluate the redeployment of the ships to Panatag Shoal once the weather clears.

China, meanwhile, pulled out Chinese fishing boats from the disputed shoal. It, however, clarified that its maritime ships will remain in the area.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hong Lei said that China "will continue to maintain administration and vigilance over Huangyan Island waters."

The Chinese calls Panatag Shoal (also called Scarborough Shoal) as Huangyan Island. Locals in Zambales province, which is very close to the shoal, calls the rich fishing territory as Bajo de Masinloc.

While China welcomed the Philippines' decision to pull out its two ships, Hong lashed out at the Philippines.

"We hope the situation can be further eased, and bilateral cooperation between China and the Philippines be restored and maintained... We wonder where the so-called commitment the Philippine side mentioned on 'China's withdrawal of vessels' came from. We hope the Philippine side can restrain their words and behaviors, and do more things conducive to the development of the bilateral relations," the Chinese official said.

The Chinese official said that the pull out of Chinese boats from the shoal was "for the safety of the fishermen and their boats."