Chinese vessels still spotted in West Philippine Sea —task force

The National Task Force West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) on Wednesday said it still spotted some Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea despite the country’s diplomatic protests against their presence in the territory.

In a statement, NTF-WPS said Area Task Forces spotted three Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessels in Bajo de Masinloc (BdM), a CCG vessel in Municipality of Kalayaan, and another one in Ayungin Shoal.

“These incursions are under review for the possible filing of appropriate diplomatic actions,” the NTF WPS said.

Due to the continued illegal presence of CCGs, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) conducted maritime patrols in the Kalayaan and BdM with its ongoing maritime capacity building exercises.

The Area Task Forces have designated naval vessels and military aircraft to conduct sovereignty patrols on rotational basis over the Municipality of Kalayaan, BdM and the rest of the country's western seaboard, the task force said.

Meanwhile, the NTF-WPS said personnel from the Philippine National Police - Maritime Group will be posted to the Municipality of Kalayaan and assigned as shipriders aboard the vessels of the PCG, Philippine Navy, and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessels.

On Monday, the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTS) reported 14 Chinese militia vessels have been spotted in the Julian Felipe Reef, which is located at 320 kilometers (200 miles) west of Palawan Island.

This was a significant decrease from the estimated 220 vessels seen in the area in March.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has been demanding for the immediate removal of the Chinese vessels from Julian Felipe Reef.

The Chinese Embassy said that the vessels are only “seeking shelter” near the reef, which they claimed is part of China’s Nansha Islands or Spratlys in the South China Sea.

The Department of Foreign Affairs filed several diplomatic protests against the presence of Chinese vessels in the Philippine territory. It has also summoned Beijing's ambassador regarding the matter. —KBK, GMA News