AFP assessing 'best action' amid presence of Chinese vessels in West Philippine Sea —Sobejana

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is assessing the best action to take in connection with 183 Chinese militia vessels still moored in Julian Felipe Reef in the West Philippines Sea.

Interviewed on Tuesday, AFP chief Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana said while the military opposes any incursion in Philippine territory, the Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) is taking into account "other considerations."

“The AFP opposes any act of incursions in our territory. It is our mandate. On the other hand, the NTF WPS takes into account other considerations,” Sobejana told GMA News Online in a message.

“Jointly, we will assess and decide what is the best course of action to take,” he added.

For now, Sobejana said maritime patrol over the West Philippine Sea will continue to monitor the number of the Chinese militia vessels in the area.

On Monday, Sobejana said they sighted around 183 Chinese militia vessels in the area after reports claimed that around 220 Chinese vessels were spotted in Julian Felipe Reef on March 7.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has appealed to China to pull out the vessels, saying the deployment breaches maritime rights and sovereignty.

The Philippines has already filed a diplomatic protest against China over the presence of militia vessels at Julian Felipe Reef.

The Chinese embassy has denied that the vessels were operated by Chinese Maritime Militia. It said that the vessels are only "seeking shelter" near the reef, which they claimed is part of China's Nansha Islands or Spratlys in the South China Sea. —KBK, GMA News