MANILA, Philippines – There are no new Chinese structures in Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal but four Chinese ships are still in the area, a defense expert monitoring West Philippine Sea issues revealed yesterday.

Rommel Banlaoi of the Philippine Association of Chinese Studies said reports about the supposed buildup in Panatag Shoal are not true.

“It’s a false report,” Banlaoi told The STAR.

“(There are) no new structures (in Panatag Shoal). Three CMS (Chinese maritime surveillance) vessels and one FLEC (Fisheries Law Enforcement Command) vessel are in the vicinity,” he said.

Banlaoi said building structures in Panatag Shoal could further complicate the territorial row in the West Philippine Sea

Read more: http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2013/06/10/952137/no-new-chinese-structures-4-ships-panatag-expert