By John Clifford Lintao
REPORTS on the alleged take-over of China on an island in the country northernmost part of the Philippines is not entirely accurate, the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) said on Thursday.
CEZA administrator and chief executive officer Raul Lambino has issued a statement denying China is taking over Fuga Island located in Aparri, even as he claimed that there are no ongoing developments in Fuga Island by any foreign entity.
Lambino clarified that CEZA is not bent on allowing foreigners to have an exclusive domain over the island.
He said that the memorandum of understanding – with a validity of only six months – signed by CEZA and Chinese firm Fong Zhi last year has already expired since the private entity failed to submit a development and financial plan.
“Itong pinirmahang MOU hindi naman po ‘yun kasunduan, pagkakaunawaan lang na may pribadong grupo ng mga Tsino na gusto nilang maglagay ng kanilang negosyo sa Fuga at lumapit sila sa mg may-ari,” said Lambino who went on to claim that the private owners of Fuga were told by the Chinese firm that they lost interest in developing the island for tourism since the pandemic hit the travel sector.
“Pagkatapos mangyari ang pirmahan… [after] six months ng paghihintay, wala na kaming narinig sa kanila. Sabi ng may-ari nawalan ng interes dahil bumaba ang tourism related business,” Lambino added.
He said that CEZA also signed a memorandum of agreement with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, particularly with the Philippine Navy to build a naval station in Fuga.
“Itong Fuga maliwanag na teritoryo ito ng Pilipinas,” Lambino said.
Last year, Armed Forces of the Philippines warned that plans by the government to allow Chinese investors to develop three tiny but strategic islands could “compromise” the country’s security.
Then presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said President Rodrigo Duterte was aware of proposals for Grande and Chiquita islands at the mouth of Subic Bay, as well as the isolated northern island of Fuga in the Babuyan archipelago, but would not elaborate.