China’s incursion into Julián Felipe Reef may be a prelude to occupation: Carpio

MANILA – Filipinos should be “very cautious” about what is happening at Julian Felipe Reef, where around 183 Chinese vessels were moored, as it could be a prelude to the occupation and construction of a naval base, the judge said Wednesday Retired Deputy of the Supreme Court Antonio Carpio.

Carpio, who was among the luminaries who represented Manila before an international tribunal in its case against Beijing, said China cannot park its militia ships at Julian Felipe Reef “because that is not its exclusive economic zone.” There were also no storms around the area as stated above.

He added that this was not the first time this had happened because, at the same time last year, there were also “hundreds” of Chinese ships stationed on the reef.

“The way I see it, this is a prelude to the occupation of Julian Felipe Reef, just like what they did with Mischief Reef in 1995. They started by saying they just built a fisherman’s shelter on Mischief Reef. Now, Mischief Reef is their air and naval base, they call it their Pearl Harbor in the South China Sea. It is a huge air and naval base, “he told ANC Headstart.

“I am particularly concerned that they are now starting to complain, relying on Julian Felipe Reef just as they did on Mischief Reef,” he said.

Authorities said the Philippine Coast Guard reported that around 220 vessels, believed to be manned by Chinese maritime militia personnel, were spotted in line formation on the Julian Felipe reef on March 7.

The Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, said that on Monday morning 183 vessels were seen in the area that China calls Niu’e Jiao and claims to be part of its Nansha Undao.

Since then, the Philippines has filed a diplomatic protest against its presence on the reef, which is approximately 175 nautical miles west of Bataraza, Palawan.

Carpio said that while it’s not immediately clear when exactly China will draw on Julian Felipe Reef, “that’s been their playbook, that’s what they did with Mischief Reef, Subi Reef and even Sandy Cay.”

“We must be cautious, very cautious with what happens in Arrecife Julián Felipe,” he said.