SCS Standoff Continues

[Battle of Bach Dang River]

Philippines pulls out ships from disputed shoal in South China Sea because of bad weather

By Associated Press,

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines’ president has ordered government ships to leave a South China Sea shoal claimed by the Philippines and China because of bad weather.

Naval ships from both countries have stood off in the Scarborough Shoal for the past two months.

Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario said Saturday that President Benigno Aquino III has ordered their two coast guard ships back to port because of a passing typhoon.

He says they have not decided whether to send the ships back to the area after the weather clears.

Del Rosario said Friday that Manila is waiting for Beijing to meet its commitment to remove about 20 vessels that are within the shoal’s lagoon after the only Philippine ship there left this week.

Philippines pulls out ships from disputed shoal in South China Sea because of bad weather - The Washington Post

 

[Roybot]

China to Withdraw Vessels From South China Sea Shoal - WSJ.com

 

[SinoChallenger]

China to Withdraw Vessels From South China Sea Shoal - WSJ.com

China not pulling out 7 vessels around Scarborough Shoal | Inquirer Global Nation

 

[shuttler]

China not pulling out 7 vessels around Scarborough Shoal | Inquirer Global Nation

Good. China hold on!

 

[ManilaBoy45]

US Tells China and the Philippines to Settle Shoal Dispute ...

Publication Date : 22-06-2012


The United States yesterday called on the Philippines and China to sit down and find a peaceful solution to their territorial dispute in the South China Sea.

Speaking at the US Embassy’s first news forum, called Kapihan sa Embahada, Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr. said Washington “has been very clear on our commitment to support a resolution of these claims in a peaceful manner at the negotiating table.”

But President Benigno Aquino told reporters on Wednesday that a military plane would fly to the area when the weather cleared and if Chinese vessels were still there by then, he would order the two Philippine vessels back to the shoal.

Defence Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, who recommended the redeployment of the two vessels to the shoal, told reporters yesterday that heavy rains and strong winds kept the government from sending a plane to the area.

Gazmin said the government still had to decide which service, whether the Navy or the Coast Guard, would send the reconnaissance plane.
Definitely, however, the Philippines will go back to Scarborough Shoal to maintain effective control in the area.



US tells Philippines, China to settle shoal dispute

 

[anon45]

China not pulling out 7 vessels around Scarborough Shoal | Inquirer Global Nation

beware of typhoons.

 

[ManilaBoy45]

The Philippines will send back it's law enforcement vessels to the disputed Scarborough Shoal after recalling them last week due to bad weather ...


Philippine Ships to Return to Shoal if China Refuses to Pull Out
By Christine O. Avendano in Manila/Philippine Daily Inquirer | Asia News Network – Thu, Jun 21, 2012

Manila (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN) - Philippine President Benigno Aquino yesterday said he would order government vessels back to Scarborough Shoal once the stormy weather clears, if ships from China have not left the area by then.

Speaking to reporters after attending a convention of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao at Waterfront Hotel in Davao City, Aquino said a military plane would fly to Scarborough Shoal as soon as the weather clears to see if Chinas vessels were still there.

If there is a presence in our territorial waters then we will redeploy [our vessels]," Aquino said. If there is no presence of other vessels that might impinge on our sovereignty, then there is no need to redeploy."


http://my.news.yahoo.com/philippine-ships-return-shoal-china-refuses-pull-055005153.html