PH increases presence in WPS after the latest foray from China

FILE PHOTO: Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana listens to questions during a press conference inside Camp Aquinaldo military headquarters in Quezon City, Metro Manila, the Philippines, March 14, 2017. REUTERS / Romeo Ranoco / Stock Photo

MANILA, Philippines – In what could be a show of force, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the Philippines has increased its presence on the Julian Felipe Reef in the Western Philippine Sea, reiterating his call for Chinese ships to leave the area.

“As I have always stated, we are ready to defend our national sovereignty and protect the marine resources of the Philippines,” Lorenzana said in a statement.

“Therefore, there will be an increased presence of Philippine Navy and Coast Guard (PCG) vessels to conduct sovereignty patrols and protect our fishermen in the Western Philippine Sea,” he continued.

Lorenzana added that the navy and coast guard have been deployed to the area while the Philippine Air Force dispatches its planes every day to monitor the situation.

“Our air and maritime 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 in efforts to protect the disputed waters.

“By securing the Western Philippine Sea and its islands in the Kalayaan area, the Philippines reinforces its commitment to maintaining freedom of navigation and maintaining regional peace and stability,” he added.

Manila filed a diplomatic protest over the presence of around 220 vessels, believed to be manned by personnel from the Chinese maritime militia.

But China claimed that the fishing boats were only taking refuge from bad weather conditions and insisted that there are no Chinese maritime militias on the Julián Felipe reef.

EDV

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