Philippines sends fighter aircraft over Chinese vessels in South China Sea
28 March, 2021
The Philippine military is sending light fighter aircraft to fly over hundreds of Chinese vessels in disputed waters in the South China Sea, its defence minister said, as he repeated his require the flotilla be withdrawn right away.
International concern is growing over what the Philippines has referred to as a "swarming and threatening presence" greater than 200 Chinese vessels that Manila believes were manned by maritime militia.
The boats were moored at the Whitsun Reef within Manila's 200-mile exclusive economical zone.
The Philippine army aircraft were sent daily to screen the situation, Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said in a statement later on Saturday (Mar 28).
Lorenzana said the military may also beef up its naval occurrence found in the South China Sea to conduct "sovereignty patrols" and protect Filipino fishermen.
"Our air and sea property will be ready to protect our sovereignty and sovereign rights," Lorenzana said.
The Chinese Embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a obtain comment. It has stated the vessels at Whitsun Reef were fishing boats for sale taking refuge from tough seas and that there have been no militia aboard.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte reaffirmed to China's ambassador, Huang Xilian, the Philippines had won a landmark arbitration case on 2016, which clarified its sovereign entitlements amid rival promises by China, his spokesman said the other day.
Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, China and Vietnam have competing territorial claims found in the South China Sea, through which at least US$3.4 trillion of gross annual trade passes.
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