Philippines raises alarm as Chinese boats increase presence in disputed sea – National | 24CA News
The Philippine army on Friday reported an “alarming” improve within the variety of Chinese fishing vessels in disputed waters within the South China Sea, which it stated threatens the safety of the oil and gas-rich Reed Bank.
From solely a dozen in February, the variety of Chinese fishing vessels “swarming” in Iroquois reef, simply south of the Reed Bank, has risen to 47 as of final month, based on the army’s Western Command (WESCOM).
“China must cease its swarming of vessels to respect our sovereign rights,” Ariel Coloma, spokesperson for the Western Command, stated in a press release.
There was no instant remark from the Chinese embassy in Manila.
The Philippines received a landmark arbitration case in 2016 that invalidated China’s expansive claims within the South China Sea, the place about US$3 trillion value of sea-borne items go yearly.
The ruling, which treaty ally United States backs and China refuses to acknowledge, clarified Philippine sovereign rights in its 200-mile unique financial zone (EEZ) to entry offshore oil and gasoline fields, together with the Reed Bank, the place a pure gasoline exploration challenge operated by Philippine agency PXP Energy Corp has been stalled.
Philippine army flights had additionally recorded the presence of three China Coast Guard ships and two Chinese navy vessels “regularly loitering” at Sabina Shoal, which like Iroquois, is contained in the Philippine EEZ.
“These developments raise alarming concerns about China’s intentions and actions within these disputed waters,” WESCOM stated.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin instructed his Philippine counterpart, Gilbert Teodoro, on Thursday that the U.S. dedication to the protection of its ally was “ironclad,” together with within the South China Sea, based on a U.S. abstract of the decision.
The Philippines on Wednesday accused the China Coast Guard of harassment, obstruction and “dangerous maneuvers” towards its vessels, after one other incident close to a strategic function of the South China Sea.
