FOREIGN VESSELS This March 2021 photo shows almost 200 Chinese vessels in the waters off Julian Felipe (Whitsun) Reef in the West Philippine Sea, despite warnings and diplomatic protests lodged by the Philippines against China. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday expressed concern about the Chinese “swarming activity” in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
The AFP’s Western Command reported scores of Chinese fishing vessels (CFV) in Iroquois Reef during their latest air patrol on September 6 and 7.
“Rozul (Iroquios) Reef emerged as the most prominent location, with 23 CFVs observed,” the Wescom said in a statement. “Additional swarming was observed in Escoda (Sabina) Shoal, where five CFVs were present, and in Baragatan (Nares) Bank, with two CFVs recorded.”
On August 24, the Navy also reported that “33 CFVs were spotted in Rozul (Iroquois) Reef during a routine air patrol.”
Rozul Reef is located within the country’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, “making this intrusion a violation of Philippine sovereign rights and jurisdiction” according to Wescom.
READ: Teodoro: China’s ‘expansionist policy’ escalates maritime tension in WPS
There were also reports of massive coral harvesting in the said areas, according to the unified command.
“The increased presence of CFVs raises concerns regarding the potential implications for Philippines’ maritime security, fisheries conservation, territorial integrity, and preservation of the marine environment,” Wescom pointed out.
“These activities have been a source of tension in the WPS and have contributed to instability in the region,” it added.
China’s actions are based on its assertion that it owns almost all of the areas in the South China Sea, including the WPS through its 10-dash line.
But the Philippines challenged the then nine-dash line before the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which later invalidated Beijing’s sweeping claim.