Filtered By: Topstories
News

AFP: ‘Illegal’ Chinese structures spotted at Pagkakaisa Banks


After conducting maritime patrols, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday said man-made structures were seen at Pagkakaisa Banks (Union Banks), which is part of the Kalayaan Islands Group (KIG).

In a statement, the AFP said the man-made structures built on some of the features were illegal.

Philippine forces conducted the patrols on Wednesday, March 31.

"The Laws of the Sea gives the Philippines indisputable and exclusive rights over the area. These constructions and other activities, economic or otherwise, are prejudicial to peace, good order, and security of our territorial waters," the AFP said.

Video courtesy of AFP Western Command

When asked if these illegal structures were made by China, AFP chief Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana answered in the affirmative.

"Yes, structures believed to be built by China as some of the Chinese vessels are taking shelter thereat," Sobejana said in a separate text message to GMA News Online.

The military said the Department of National Defense and the Department of Foreign Affairs have been informed about the matter.

"We ensure every Filipino that our efforts to dutifully perform our mandate to protect and advance our national interests in the area continue unhampered," the AFP said.

Chinese vessels

The National Task Force West Philippine Sea earlier bared that over 200 Chinese vessels were seen scattered over the KIG.

It said 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.

Meanwhile, 44 Chinese maritime militia ships remain off Julian Felipe Reef in the West Philippine Sea despite a diplomatic protest filed by the Philippine government. 

Earlier in the day, Reuters reported that 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 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 Reuters report said, quoting the White House. — RSJ/KBK, GMA News

LOADING CONTENT