President Aquino again blew cold yesterday after issuing a warning the other day on China over a territorial dispute on South China Sea as he denied reports he had 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 aircraft to keep an eye 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.
It was clear, however, in reporters’ notes of the interview that  it was Aquino who raised the possibility of seeking the use of US spy planes to monitor the disputed areas.
“If you will go through the transcript of the interview, I said ‘We might’ (ask for US help),” Aquino claimed.
“That is where (the interviewers) suddenly introduced the supposed request for overflights, which wasn’t what I stated,” he averred.
Aides said Aquino had made the remarks during an interview with a foreign news agency last Monday.
Subsequent reports of the president’s alleged requests 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.
The shoal stand-off began in April when Chinese vessels prevented the Philippine Navy from arresting Chinese fishermen encroaching on what the Filipinos claim is a part of their country’s territory.
China claims nearly all of the South China Sea, even waters close to the coasts of neighbouring countries.
In addition to the whole of the 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.
Both countries have been pressing their respective claims to the area, with the poorly-equipped Philippines seeking the support of its main defence ally, the United States.
Aquino remarked Thursday that the Philippines had withdrawn its own ships from the shoal almost three weeks ago, but Chinese ships were still in the area.
“If their (China) vessels had also gone home... there would be no more issue. So who is prolonging the issue?” he said.
“There are a lot of things being said by the other side. Maybe they need to balance their statements with the truth,” he said.
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.
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesman Raul Hernandez said Sansha’s establishment violated Manila’s claim to the Scarborough Shoal and parts of the Spratly islands, as well as other areas within the South China Sea.
He told reporters the ministry was awaiting the Chinese government’s response to the protest.
At an event in Pasay City, however, Aquino also blamed media for supposedly “distorting stories” on the territorial row between the Philippines and China.
Aquino also told Palace reporters that he asked the Chinese government to pull out their vessels at the contested Scarborough Shoal adding that their continued stay at the region off Zambales shore prevents effort directed toward a peaceful recourse claiming that the Philippines had long withdrawn its two government ships in the region.
Reiterating there’s nothing provocative in his statement last Monday, Aquino asked the Chinese government to observe a balance in issuing statements reactive of media reports as compared to what is actually taking place on the ground.
Aquino  denied issuing provocative statement against China.
“I find it rather strange to hear that the Philippines or myself as Philippine President being accused of issuing provocative statements, when everybody seemed aware that in many instances nasty remarks appeared to have emanated from their side”, Aquino said when asked to comment on the latest statement from China to the Philippines in what has turned out to be an exchange of barbs seen as an indication of a failed bid to settle diplomatic conflict through peaceful avenues.
“So perhaps they should consider to read first what was written by their paper and, with all due respect, I also recommend that they learn how to balance their words with reality” Aquino was quoted as saying in reference to an article published and posted by China’s People’s Daily newspaper, which dragged the Philippines as deliberately stirring up tensions in the disputed West Philippine Sea.
Aquino further averred that it’s been three weeks since he ordered the pullout of government ships in Panatag Shoal due to bad weather. However, Chinese authorities didn’t reciprocate the recall order issued by the Philippine government and maintained position even as Chinese officials firmly stood by earlier pronouncements on not having any plan to leave Scarborough.
“Had they (China) sent their ships back home then there would not have been any more issue here. Now, who’s doing stuffs seen as keeping tension and issue alive” Aquino said in Filipino.
      Fernan J. Angeles and AFP