MANILA: The Navy spotted two Chinese ships intruding in Philippine-owned Ayungin Shoal.
Colonel Edgard Arevalo, Navy spokesman on West Philippine Sea issues, over the weekend said a Chinese maritime surveillance vessel joined another ship spotted on Friday night. “Vessels come and go and we cannot be sure if they are out there permanently,” he said.
“While we are not sure about that, you can be sure that we are vigilant. Our personnel there (Ayungin Shoal) serve as our eyes and ears in that isolated post who render round-the-clock reports and record what they observe as those form part of the documents required as basis for the government’s legal recourse and resort to arbitration.”
Ayungin Shoal is 105.77 nautical miles from Palawan and forms part of the Philippines’ 200- nautical mile exclusive economic zone.
Sulu clash toll reaches 14
ZAMBOANGA CITY: The death toll in encounter between government troops and Abu Sayyaf bandits in Sulu increased to 14 with seven militants killed and 15 soldiers wounded.
The clash broke out in Barangay Tugas in Patikul and left seven Marines, including a junior officer, killed and 10 others wounded.
Colonel Jose Joriel Cenabre, commanding officer of the 2nd Marine Brigade and chief of the Joint Task Force Sulu, said the casualties of the Abu Sayyaf were based on body count in the area.
The slain militants were identified as Jumli Muhammad, Salip Uddin, Ambotong, Saif Ajim, Kausar Sawadjaan, Apong Idul, and a certain Pakkal.
The military earlier identified three other slain suspected Abu Sayyaf gunmen as Jumilden Wali, Hairula Asbang, and Ibno Abdulkahal.
An official, however, said they could not confirm if the three killed were part of the group that figured in the encounter with the troops.
Bangkok blast
wounds seven
BANGKOK: A bomb hidden near rubbish bins in a busy suburban Bangkok shopping area left seven people wounded, Thailand police said. The homemade device exploded at about 9pm (1400 GMT) on Sunday in Ramkhamhaeng, a university area of the Thai capital, said Police colonel Narongrit Promsawan.
“Police are investigating to see what caused the explosion and who were involved. A preliminary investigation of the scene found many nails were part of the device,” he said.
Narongrit said police did not think the bombing was part of a broader campaign.
He said none of those hurt was in a serious condition.
Deputy government spokeswoman Sunisa Lertpakawat said security forces were urgently probing who was behind the blast.
“It is now under investigation, which may take time, but not too long because security for Thais and foreigners is a very important matter for this government,” she said.
President starts China visit
Beijing: President of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapakse arrived in Beijing yesterday, marking the beginning of his four-day state visit to China. His visit came at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The two Presidents are scheduled to discuss bilateral relations and a number of Asian cooperation issues.
AGENCIEs
