The presence of the Chinese “maritime militia” near a maritime reef in southern China shows Beijing’s intention to occupy more disputed areas, according to a statement from Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.
China “has done this before” in other disputed areas like Scarborough Shoal and “is blatantly violating Philippine sovereignty,” Lorenzana said Sunday. He was reacting to a statement from the Chinese embassy in Manila, which on Saturday described the waters around Whitsun Reef, where there were hundreds of Chinese ships. detected earlier last month as “traditional fishing grounds” and “part of China’s Nansha Islands.”
Lorenzana’s statements indicate a tougher stance by the Philippine government, than it does he initially issued a formal diplomatic protest in China saying the ships were lifting concerns about overfishing and safety of navigation. On Saturday, in a separate statement, Lorenzana also refuted China’s previous response that those ships were protected from the wind, saying the weather in the area has been good.
TO READ: The Philippines says the Chinese “militia” is spreading to other disputed reefs
Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin said separately on Sunday that he “considers a decision-making” after the Chinese embassy’s assertion that Whitsun Reef is part of Chinese territory. He also said on Twitter that “swarms get nothing.”
Philippines, led by President Rodrigo Duterte, has been establishing friendly ties with China in recent years maintaining its alliance with the US The Biden administration in late March expressed concern over the presence of Chinese fishing vessels near the disputed reef, saying Beijing uses “maritime militias to intimidate, provoke and threaten others nations “.
TO READ: United States launches “China Maritime Militia”, which supports the Philippines (1)
– With the assistance of Ditas B Lopez
(Add the comments of the Philippine Foreign Secretary in the fourth paragraph)