Chinese vessels in EEZ not fishers but militia, poachers —Locsin

The Chinese vessels massed up near Philippine claims in the South China Sea are either militia or poachers, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr.said on Wednesday.

Locsin made the remark amid reports of Chinese poachers taking giant clams in waters within the Philippines' exclusve economic zone and the presence of Chinese vessels near Philippine-held islands in the West Philippine Sea.

"The Chinese government is not protecting Chinese fishermen who just happen to swarm there in formation, okay?" Locsin said.

"That's militia and poachers acting in unison. Period. We're not stupid or blind. Now we can talk about it. Frankly," he added.

"No historical or hysterical claims; just law and friendship," Locsin said.

The Chinese govt is not protecting Chinese fishermen who just happen to swarm there in formation, okay? That's militia and poachers acting in unison. Period. We're not stupid or blind. Now we can talk about it. Frankly. No historical or hysterical claims; just law and friendship. https://t.co/J2NKggiBFo

— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) April 17, 2019

Just a month ago during his visit to Beijing. Locsin said "the lesser" had a chance in the world being created by China.

He said China was aspiring to rise higher "not by stepping on others, but by helping them rise alongside her."

"I speak for my country which wants to see much to hope for, and nothing to fear from the rise of a new power," Locsin said.

Chinese vessels have reportedly been spotted near Philippine-held Kota and Panata Islands in the South China Sea, according to international think tank Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative.

A report on GMA News TV's Quick Response Team on Wednesday showed photos taken on March 12, 16, 29 and April 7 where the activities of the Chinese vessels were supposedly seen.

Fifteen huge Chinese fishing vessels and eight small boats were spotted on March 29.

Meanwhile on April 7, six huge vessels and two boats were found.

The report said the Armed Forces of the Philippines has yet to provide an explanation as to the presence of the Chinese vessels in the vicinity of the two islands, which the Philippines has occupied since 1978.

Aside from the Kota and Panata Islands, Chinese vessels have also swarmed Pag-asa Island off the coast of Palawan.

From January to March this year, about 275 Chinese vessels have been spotted near and around the area of Pag-asa Island, according to the Philippine military.

Malacañang earlier said that if there are indeed Chinese vessels near the islands occupied by the Philippines, the government would file another protest against China.

Local fishermen have also reportedly seen the Chinese harvesting giant clams for years and that members of the Chinese Coast Guard have been preventing Filipino fishing vessels from accessing the Scarborough Shoal.

The shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc and off Zambales, is well within the Philippines’ 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone.

Malacañang has said that the taking of giant clams by the Chinese was an affront to the Philippines' sovereignty.

The government has filed a diplomatic protest and will be taking legal action against China over the incident.

"We just caught them doing that recently, filed a diplomatic note, and will be taking legal action. With our legal department now," Locsin said in a separate tweet.