MANILA (Reuters) – The Philippine military is sending light fighter jets to fly over hundreds of Chinese ships in disputed waters in the South China Sea, its defense minister said, reiterating its demand that the flotilla be withdrawn immediately. .
International concern is growing over what the Philippines has described as a “swarming and threatening presence” of more than 200 Chinese ships that Manila believes were manned by maritime militias.
The boats were moored at Whitsun Reef in the exclusive 200-kilometer economic zone of Manila.
Philippine military planes were sent daily to monitor the situation, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said in a statement Saturday afternoon.
Lorenzana said the military will also strengthen its naval presence in the South China Sea to conduct “sovereignty patrols” and protect Filipino fishermen.
“Our air and sea assets are ready to protect our sovereignty and sovereign rights,” Lorenzana said.
The Chinese embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment. It has been said that the Whitsun Reef vessels were fishing vessels that took refuge from the rough seas and that there were no militias on board.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte reaffirmed before Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian that in 2016 the Philippines had won a major arbitration case, which made clear its sovereign rights amid China’s rival claims , his spokesman said last week.
Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, China and Vietnam have competing territorial competencies in the South China Sea, through which at least $ 3.4 trillion of annual trade passes.
Karen Lema Reports; Edited by Stephen Coates