Metro Manila, Philippines – The military is closely monitoring the Kalayaan Island Group in the West Philippine Sea after a swarm of over 48 Chinese fishing vessels were reported near the Iroquois Reef, south of the Recto bank, on June 30.
“The AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) in coordination with other government agencies under Area Task Force (ATF)-West is actively monitoring developments in the Kalayaan Island Group,” the AFP told CNN Philippines.
“The case is being handled by the NTF-WPS [National Task Force-West Philippine Sea],” it added. The ATF-West falls under the task force.
It said three China Coast Guard (CCG) ships and two People’s Liberation Army Navy vessels were also seen “regularly loitering” at Sabina Shoal.
Created in 2016, the NTF-WPS is chaired by the National Security Adviser. It has representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of National Defense, Department of Justice, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the Department of Energy.
It also has members from the Department of Agriculture, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Transportation, Department of Finance, National Economic and Development Authority, National Coast Watch System, Philippine National Police–Maritime Group, Philippine Coast Guard, and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.
Meanwhile, recent instances of Chinese harassment towards Filipino vessels in Philippine waters have prompted foreign envoys to condemn Beijing’s actions.
“We are concerned by the unprofessional maneuvers of the CCG against the PCG. The PRC’s (People’s Republic of China) irresponsible behavior in the South China Sea threatens the security and legal rights of our treaty ally, the Philippines,” United States Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson said.
“We call on the PRC to comply with international law, including implementing the legally binding 2016 award in the Philippines v. China Law of the Sea Convention arbitration as a starting point to achieve a #FreeAndOpenIndoPacific,” she continued.
German Ambassador to the Philippines Anke Reiffenstuel said that “such aggressive behavior has no place in the #SouthChinaSea. The rules based international maritime order, with the 2016 Arbitration Ruling as its center, must be respected.”
“We are resolutely opposed to any use of force or threat to do so. We recall, in this regard, the Arbitration award rendered under UNCLOS on the 12th of July 2016,” the French Embassy in the Philippines said.
In 2016, the Hague unanimously ruled in favor of the Philippines and nullified China’s claim over the South China Sea, a decision Beijing continues to reject.
