‘Potential threat’: PH military reports Chinese vessels swarming near Iroquois Reef, Sabina Shoal

Chinese fishing vessels gather around Iroquois Reef and Sabina Shoal within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, which the AFP deemed “alarming” and a “potential threat” to Recto Bank. Google Maps

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Friday disclosed that Chinese fishing vessels were swarming around Iroquois Reef and Sabina Shoal within the country’s exclusive economic zone. The military called it “alarming” and a “potential threat” to Recto Bank.

As many as 48 Chinese fishing vessels were recently spotted in Iroquois Reef, as reported by the AFP Western Command on its latest air patrol conducted June 30, located south of the Recto Bank in the West Philippine Sea.

“During multiple flights over Iroquois Reef in the past week, pilots observed an alarming presence of Chinese fishing vessels. The swarming of Chinese fishing vessels there is quite visible from the air,” Army Lt. Edgard Abogado said in a statement.

The AFP said the Chinese fishing vessels were “anchored in groups of five to seven,” loitering in the area while “no fishing activities” were observed.

The AFP also found Chinese maritime assets near Sabina Shoal, specifically three Chinese Coast Guard ships and two People’s Liberation Army Navy Plan vessels.

Google Maps

“These developments raise an alarming concern about China’s intentions and actions within these disputed waters. Recto Bank, a significant feature for the Philippines holding immense potential for the country’s energy security and economic growth, stands as a focal point in this rising concern over China’s recent behavior,” it said.

Just recently, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) raised concern over the behavior of the Chinese coast guard vessels in the West Philippine Sea.

The PCG said China Coast Guard (CCG) ships maneuvered dangerously close to its two ships supporting a Philippine Navy resupply mission in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in late June.

READ: Chinese vessels again accused of ‘dangerous maneuvers’

“The Philippine Coast Guard is concerned about the behavior of the Chinese coast guard vessels. It seems like they are putting in extra effort to stop us from reaching Ayungin Shoal,” PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela told the Inquirer on July 4.

According to Tarriela, the CCG vessels with bow numbers 4203 and 5201 conducted “dangerous maneuvers” to block the PCG’s 44-meter vessels BRP Malapascua (MRRV-4403) and BRP Malabrigo (MRRV-4402) from coming closer to the shoal.

On Thursday, July 6, China countered the PCG, saying the CCG’s actions were “professional and restrained.”

READ: Dangerous? China says its vessels’ maneuvers were ‘professional, restrained’

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin even insisted that Ayungin Shoal, which he called Ren’ai Reef, is “part of China’s Nansha Islands.”

But Ayungin Shoal is a reef some 194 kilometers off Palawan province within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines.

The United States expressed concern over the latest incident, saying it showed Beijing’s “coercive and risky” behavior in the contested South China Sea.

READ: US concerned over China’s ‘coercive, risky’ behavior in South China Sea

In 2016, the Philippine won its case against China with the United Nations-backed Permanent Court of Arbitration invalidating  Beijing’s fictitious nine-dash line claim in the South China Sea.

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