“There is no ‘co-control’ of Scarborough Shoal” – Prof. Jay Batongbacal

During an interview in ANC’s Early Edition program on June 26, 2018, Prof. Jay Batongbacal stated that the incidents when Filipino fishermen were repeatedly harassed by the Chinese Coast Guard at the Scarborough Shoal definitely did not show a “co-control” of the area.

Disputing Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano’s statement that the Philippines was jointly in control of the territory with China, the maritime expert pointed out that the area lacked the presence of Philippine authorities that will protect the fishermen’s interests.

“Ideally, the government should work towards China’s compliance of the ruling,” Batongbacal explained, referring to the case Philippines v. China at the Permanent Court of Arbitration.

The video of the ANC segment may be viewed through this link: https://www.facebook.com/ANCalerts/videos/10156023397683791/