44 Chinese ships still at Julian Felipe Reef

From Panay News (Apr 1, 2021): 44 Chinese ships still at Julian Felipe Reef (By Adrian Stewart Co)

Amid the diplomatic protest filed by the country against China, several Chinese ships are still seen around the Julian Felipe Reef in the West Philippine Sea, the National Task Force-West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) said.

In a statement, the NTF-WPS said around 44 Chinese maritime militias remained “moored, anchored, and stationary at Julian Felipe Reef.”

Aside from these 44, a maritime patrol by the Philippine Army saw over 200 other Chinese vessels scattered in Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) – 115 in Chigua (Kennan) Reef, 45 in Pag-asa Island, and 50 others in Panganiban (Mischief), Kagitingan (Fiery), and Zamora (Subi) Reefs.

The NTF-WPS also noted in its report that four People’s Liberation Army Navy vessels were also spotted in Panganiban Reef.

“The vessels, which China said were fishing boats, are maritime militia, and their build-up and massing formation from Julian Felipe Reef to other areas of the Kalayaan Island Group is hazardous to navigation and safety of life at sea,” the task force said.

“They may be doing illicit activities at night and their lingering (swarming) presence may cause irreparable damage to the marine environment due to marine pollution and destruction of coral reefs,” it added.

As the presence of Chinese vessels remains in the Philippines exclusive economic zone (EEZ), NTF-WPS said it continues to assert the Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction over the KIG and WPS, and expressed its concern over the illegal Chinese maritime presence.

The country increased the deployment of maritime vessels from the Philippine Navy, Philippine Coast Guard, and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to safeguard its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national patrimony in the KIG.

https://www.panaynews.net/44-chinese-ships-still-at-julian-felipe-reef/