loading…
International concern is growing over what the Philippines describes as a crowd presence and threatening the more than 200 Chinese ships that Manila believes are manned by maritime militias.
The vessels are moored at Whitsun Reef within Manila’s 200-mile exclusive economic zone.
“Philippine military aircraft are dispatched daily to monitor the situation,” Lorenzana said in a statement Reuters, Sunday (28/3/2021).
Also read: The Philippines is angry, 220 Chinese Navy ships enter the South China Sea dispute area
Lorenzana said the military would also increase its naval presence in the South China Sea to carry out “sovereign patrols” and protect Filipino fishermen.
“Our air and sea assets are ready to protect our sovereignty and sovereign rights,” Lorenzana stressed.
The Chinese Embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment. It is said that the ships on Whitsun Reef are fishing vessels that take cover from the rough seas and there are no militias on board.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said that the country’s number one person has reiterated to China’s ambassador, Huang Xilian, that the Philippines had won a landmark arbitration case in 2016, which clarified its sovereign rights amid China’s claims.
Also read: Facing an increasingly aggressive China, Australia will join French war games
Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, China and Vietnam have overlapping territorial claims in the South China Sea, through which at least $ 3.4 trillion in annual trade passes.
(ian)
– .
