South China Sea: Tensions as Manila condemns Beijing over 'threatening' boats
MANILA has condemned China over its failure to withdraw a fleet of "swarming and threatening" boats that have been anchored in the nation's Exclusive Economic Zone since early March.
More than 200 vessels moored off the Whitsun reef back to shelter from “bad weather”, but most remain anchored in the area more than a month later. In a statement issued on Friday, the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs said 165 Chinese fishing, coast guard and maritime militia vessels were observed in the area.
The statement read: “The presence of these vessels blatantly infringe upon Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction.
“The continued swarming and threatening presence of the Chinese vessels creates an atmosphere of instability and is a blatant disregard of the commitments by China to promote peace and stability in the region.”
The statement comes as Philippine armed forces promised to enforce action after suggesting China had “not honoured” agreements.
Cirilito Sobejana, leader of the nation's armed forces, told reporters China had been building structures in the West Philippine Sea and that, in response, they would build their own.
Manila also lodged two new diplomatic protests against China on Wednesday.
Manilla has been urging Beijing to withdraw the “maritime militia” since the incident was first reported, claiming the incursion into the nation’s EEZ is illegal.
However, China has denied any wrongdoing. The eastern superpower says the fishing boats are allowed to be there on historic rights despite the Hague stating Beijing’s claims are “without merit”.
The Philippine government announced a South China Sea task force would be established in an attempt to increase the nation’s military presence and respond to acts of Chinese aggression.
The task force will contain more vessels and an aircraft that will be deployed to protect the country’s maritime sovereignty.
Growing tension between the two countries also prompted the US to send an aircraft carrier to the region in support of their Philippine allies.