AFP uncertain if Chinese vessels in more West Philippines Sea areas part of 183 from Julian Felipe Reef

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) cannot say if the Chinese vessels spotted in more areas of the West Philippine Sea are part of the 183 vessels first reported at Julian Felipe Reef, military spokesperson Major General Edgard Arevalo said Wednesday.

From 183, Arevalo said the AFP noticed that the number of Chinese vessels seen off Julian Felipe Reef has decreased to 44 based on their latest aerial patrol on Tuesday.

“There was a reduction in the number of vessels at the Julian Felipe Reef which is part of the Pagkakaisa Reef. In the last aerial sovereignty patrol on 30 March 2021, 44 Chinese Vessels were spotted there,” he said.

“But we cannot readily say if the 92 vessels sighted in Chigua Reef and 84 in Gaven Reef are part of the original 183 first reported by the AFP,” he added.

On Wednesday, the National Task Force West Philippine Sea said 44 Chinese maritime militia ships remain off Julian Felipe Reef.

However, it said over 200 other Chinese vessels were also seen scattered over the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG).

It added that 115 Chinese vessels are also in Chigua (Kennan) Reef, 45 vessels in Pag-asa Island and 50 other vessels are dispersed in Panganiban (Mischief), Kagitingan (Fiery), and Zamora (Subi) Reefs—all within KIG.

Further, four People’s Liberation Army Navy vessels were also spotted at Panganiban Reef.

On March 7, the Coast Guard initially spotted 226 Chinese vessels off Julian Felipe Reef, according to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.

Lorenzana earlier appealed to China to pull out the militia vessels, saying the deployment breaches maritime rights and sovereignty.

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

The Chinese Embassy, however, denied that the vessels were operated by Chinese Maritime Militia. It said that the fishing 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. 

The Philippines refers to parts of the South China Sea as West Philippine Sea. — RSJ, GMA News