US, Philippine security officials discuss Chinese activities at Julian Felipe Reef

WASHINGTON - White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, in a call with Philippine counterpart Hermogenes Esperon on Wednesday, discussed their shared concerns over Chinese activities at Julian Felipe Reef (Whitsun Reef) in the South China Sea, the White House said.

The Philippines has described the presence of hundreds of Chinese boats inside its 200-mile exclusive economic zone at Whitsun Reef in the South China Sea as "swarming and threatening."

Manila believes the vessels were manned by maritime militia. Chinese diplomats have said the boats were sheltering from rough seas and no militia were aboard.

Sullivan and Esperon "agreed that the United States and the Philippines will continue to coordinate closely in responding to challenges in the South China Sea," the White House said.

"Sullivan underscored that the United States stands with our Philippine allies in upholding the rules-based international maritime order, and reaffirmed the applicability of the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty in the South China Sea," it added.

Canada, Australia, Japan and others have voiced concern about China's intentions.

Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, China and Vietnam have competing territorial claims in the South China Sea, through which at least $3.4 trillion of annual trade passes.

'Washington stands with the Philippines'

On Monday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington stands with the Philippines as China maritime militia vessels amass at Julian Felipe Reef in the West Philippine Sea.

"The United States stands with our ally, the Philippines, in the face of the PRC's maritime militia amassing at Whitsun Reef," Blinken said in a post on Twitter.

"We will always stand by our allies and stand up for the rules-based international order," he added.

On Wednesday, Philippine officials said a total of 44 vessels remain at the reef, which is located inside the Philippines exclusive economic zone.

Philippine military spokesperson Major General Edgard Arevalo said they are still uncertain whether the 44 vessels are part of the original 183 sighted off the reef. 

However, the Philippines' National Task Force West Philippine Sea said over 200 other Chinese vessels were seen scattered over the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG).

The Philippines has already filed a diplomatic protest over the incident.

However, Philippine Defense chief Delfin Lorenzana said no Navy ships were sent to Julian Felipe Reef so as not to stir up tension in the area.

Interviewed on CNN Philippines on Monday, Lorenzana said the Philippines can only deploy ships from the Philippine Coast Guard and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to the reef for now. — with Eric Beech/Reuters/RSJ/KBK, GMA News