Chinese vessels spotted near Pag-asa Island, Alejano says

Chinese military vessels have continued to flock to Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea, proof that the tension in the disputed territory is "continuing up to now," a lawmaker claimed on Tuesday.

In a press conference, Magdalo party-list Representative Gary Alejano said he received information that three vessels of Chinese maritime militia and a ship of the People's Liberation Army were spotted between one to five nautical miles from the sandbars of Pag-asa Island.

He, however, said this is understandable as Subi Reef is near the sandbars.

Alejano said the sandbars are located within 12 nautical miles of both Subi Reef and Pag-asa Island, but the reef was once a low-tide elevation and was later on reclaimed by China.

Following the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, Alejano said Subi Reef cannot generate territorial waters neither a 200-nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) as it is a low-tide elevation feature.

The Pag-asa Island, meanwhile, is a high-tide elevation feature, he said.

"Chinese forces are employing new tactics. They are harassing our patrolling vessels by continuously sounding their sirens to signify their opposition to our vessels visiting or patrolling the sandbars," he said.

Alejano said he will release a more detailed account of the report on Wednesday.

The lawmaker had earlier revealed the presence of several Chinese vessels near Pag-asa Island.

He said China has deployed two frigates, one Coast Guard vessel and two large fishing vessels, with their maritime militia, one to three nautical miles north of Pag-asa Island.

A Chinese flag was also planted seven nautical miles off Kota Island in the West Philippines Sea, Alejano said.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, however, said there is no need to be alarmed about the situation in the West Philippine Sea. —KBK, GMA News