The Philippines is still waiting for China’s action on its appeal to send patrol ships to the Sulu Sea to stop Islamic militants from raiding vessels and kidnapping people.
President Duterte said he has sought China’s help in the sea patrols due the rising number of piracy and kidnap-for-ransom activities but Beijing has yet to respond to his request.
“I have requested China, through the Ambassador, to do some patrolling there sa Strait. It’s known dito, nearer the Philippines, it’s known as the Cebu, the Sulu Sea,” Duterte said in a media interview in Malacañang Tuesday.
“But I have not heard of any response. And there are so many requests that I have made na – which China has still to – to entertain,” he said.
Duterte recognized that China has a “huge” sea power and could ably contribute to patrolling the seas plagued by Islamic extremists.
He made the remarks after the Abu Sayyaf Group beheaded a German hostage after a deadline on ransom payment expired last weekend. Jurgen Kantner was held captive for three months in Sulu after being kidnapped from his yacht last November.
“So international sea, sabi ko sa China, if they can contribute sa patrolling kasi ang might ng China in terms of sea power, it’s a huge one and if they can patrol the international seas sa because if the piracy continues, that thing there below Mindanao is a vital sea lane going to the Pacific,” the President said.
The President earlier recognized the emerging threat of the Islamic State to the country after some extremists are trying to gain international attention and outdo each other in committing atrocities in the south.
The Philippines has recently forged a pact with Malaysia and Indonesia to patrol the common seas to curb the attacks on sailors and tourists by extremists. (Genalyn D. Kabiling)