THE Department of National Defense has ordered the Armed Forces to beef up presence in the West Philippine Sea in the South China due to Chinese activities near a Philippine-occupied island in the area.
In a statement, the DND also urged China to abide by international rules and avoid actions that will escalate tension in the South China Sea.
China is claiming most of the South China Sea, through which billions of dollars worth of goods pass each year. The Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam have overlapping claims to various islands and features.
The Chinese embassy in Manila reiterated that China strictly abides by a consensus reached among claimants that included not developing uninhabited reefs and islands.
Asked to respond to the DND’s statement, it said both countries would”‚“properly handle maritime issues through friendly consultations.”
The defense department’s order followed reports of alleged Chinese reclamation activities and “swarming” of Chinese vessels in areas in the South China Sea.
“The Department of National Defense has directed the Armed Forces of the Philippines to strengthen the country’s presence in the West Philippine Sea, following the monitored Chinese activities close to Pag-asa Island,” the DND said.
Pag-asa Island, about 280 nautical miles from Puerto Princesa City in Palawan, serves as the seat of government of Kalayaan town, Palawan. The 37.2-hectare island has been occupied by Filipino troops since 1971.
The DND did not elaborate on the “monitored Chinese activities” but there has been continued presence of Chinese Coast Guard and militia vessels near the island.
It did not also say how the Armed Forces should strengthen its presence in the West Philippine Sea.
The AFP Western Command (Wescom), which is in charge of military operations in the area, reported the continued presence of Chinese militia vessels in three areas in the West Philippine Sea — Pag-asa Sandy Cay 1 (Sandy Cay), Julian Felipe Reef (Whitsun Reef), and Panata Island (Lankiam Cay).
The news agency Bloomberg earlier reported that China was “building up several unoccupied land features” in the South China Sea, through reclamation activities. The Chinese Embassy in Manila called the report “fake news.”
The Bloomberg report said Chinese reclamation activities have been taking place in Eldad Reef, Lankiam Cay, Whitsun Reef and Sandy Cay, which is about 12 nautical miles from Pag-asa Island.
“The Western Command, through our regular naval and air patrols, has observed the persistent presence of China militia vessels around areas stated in the Bloomberg article.
They were spotted in (areas) namely Pag-asa Cay 1 (Sandy Cay), Julian Felipe Reef (Whitsun Reef), and Panata Island (Lankiam Cay).” Wescom said in a statement.
It said the “activities and development” in these areas are being reported to the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea “for an appropriate response.”
“Wescom shall continue conducting maritime patrols and sustaining our presence in the WPS to protect our nation’s territory and sovereign rights,” the statement added.
On Wednesday, a military official said recent patrols showed no indication of Chinese reclamation activities in the areas. However, the official said there is continuing presence of Chinese militias in these features.
Last week, the military confirmed swarming of Chinese militia vessels at Iroquois Reef and Sabina Shoal over the past months. DND officer-in-charge Jose Faustino Jr expressed “great concern” over the incident, adding “activities which violate our sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction, and undermine the peace and stability of the region, are unacceptable.”
“Any encroachment in the West Philippine Sea or reclamation on the features therein is a threat to the security of Pag-asa Island, which is part of Philippine sovereign territory,” the DND said in its statement yesterday.
“It also endangers the marine environment, and undermines the stability of the region,” it added.
The defense department said China should abide by international rules-based order in the West Philippine Sea, which is being claimed by Philippines, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.
“We strongly urge China to uphold the prevailing rules-based international order and refrain from acts that will exacerbate tensions in the West Philippine Sea and the larger South China Sea,” the DND said. — With Reuters
