China at it again! Philippines spots over 200 Chinese 'militia' boats at Manila’s controlled reef

Manila, Mar 22: In yet another attempt to increase aggression in the South China Sea, the Philippines has urged China to recall more than 200 Chinese boats it said had been spotted at a reef in the South China Sea. Manila has countered it saying that the presence of the vessels violated its maritime rights as it claims ownership of the area.

 

Officials said the Philippines coast guard had reported that about 220 vessels, believed to be manned by Chinese maritime militia personnel, were seen moored at the Whitsun Reef, which Manila calls the Julian Felipe Reef, on March 7. In a strong-worded statement, Philippines Defence Minister Delfin Lorenzana warned of appropriate actions not limited to filing diplomatic protests if the boats were not withdrawn. It called on the Chinese to stop this incursion and immediately recall these boats.

 

 

Further, in order to validate the report, the Philippine military had conducted air and maritime patrols in the South China Sea, spokesman Marine Major General Edgard Arevalo said, but did not say when. "The military had submitted its findings to other government agencies, and they would be used as basis for taking appropriate actions not limited to filing diplomatic protests", he said in a statement, without elaborating.

 

 

 

“The (Armed Forces of the Philippines) will not renege from our commitment to protect and defend our maritime interest within the bounds of the law,” Arevalo said. The vessels are fishing boats believed to be manned by Chinese military-trained personnel, according to Philippines security officials.

 

The vessels are fishing boats believed to be manned by Chinese military-trained personnel, according to Philippines security officials. The vessels' presence in the area raises concern about overfishing and the destruction of the marine environment, as well as risks to safe navigation, a Philippine cross-government task force said late on Saturday.

 

It should be noted that Taiwan, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines and Brunei all claim parts of the sea. In January, the Philippines protested at a new Chinese law allowing its coast guard to fire on foreign vessels, describing it as a "threat of war".

 

The United States has repeatedly denounced what it called China's attempts to bully neighbours with competing interests, while Beijing has criticised Washington for what it calls interference in its internal affairs.

 

 

It should be noted that the Whitsun Reef is within Manila's exclusive economic zone, the task force said, describing the site as "a large boomerang-shaped shallow coral reef at the northeast of Pagkakaisa Banks and Reefs".

The task force vowed to continue "to peacefully and proactively pursue its initiatives on environmental protection, food security and freedom of navigation" in the South China Sea.