Around 220 Chinese militia vessels were spotted moored at Julian Felipe Reef in the West Philippine Sea last March 7, 2021. (NTF WPS)
MANILA, Philippines — In what could be a show of force, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the Philippines has increased its presence at the Julian Felipe Reef in the West Philippine Sea, as he reiterated his call for Chinese vessels to withdraw from the area.
“As I have always affirmed, we are ready to defend our national sovereignty and protect the marine resources of the Philippines,” Lorenzana said in a statement.
“Thus, there will be an increased presence of the Philippine Navy and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ships to conduct sovereignty patrols and protect our fishermen in the West Philippine Sea,” he went on.
Lorenzana added that the navy and coast guard have been deployed in the area while the Philippine Air Force sends its aircraft every day to likewise monitor the situation.
“Our air and sea assets are ready to protect our sovereignty and sovereign rights in the WPS [West Philippine Sea] and the KIG [Kalayaan Island Group],” Lorenzana said, adding that they are in coordination with other agencies on efforts to protect the disputed waters.
“By securing the West Philippine Sea and its islands in the Kalayaan area, the Philippines reinforces its commitment to keeping the freedom of navigation and maintaining regional peace and stability,” he further said.
Manila filed a diplomatic protest over the presence of around 220 vessels, believed to be manned by Chinese maritime militia personnel.
But China claimed that the fishing boats were only taking shelter from bad weather conditions and insisted that there are no Chinese maritime militia at the Julian Felipe Reef.