AFP airs ‘serious concern’ over Chinese vessels’ continued presence in Julian Felipe Reef

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has expressed “serious concern” over the continued presence of Chinese vessels near Julian Felipe Reef.

On Saturday, AFP spokesperson Major General Edgard Arevalo backed Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana’s statement calling out the Chinese “incursions” in the disputed area.

Arevalo said the AFP will continuously monitor the West Philippine Sea through air and maritime patrols aside from the land-based monitoring of the military.

So far, the AFP has not observed new constructions in the West Philippine Sea apart from the five previously recorded activities in Union Banks.

“These notwithstanding, we will remain unrelenting in providing pertinent data to the DND and the [National Task Force-West Philippine Sea] as to the situation that impinges on our sovereignty and our enjoyment of our sovereign rights,” Arevalo said.

AFP’s statement was issued shortly after Lorenzana reiterated the call for the Chinese vessels to leave the Julian Felipe Reef.

“As of our latest maritime and aerial surveillance, there are still forty-four (44) Chinese vessels that are in Julian Felipe Reef. I am no fool. The weather has been good so far, so they have no other reason to stay there. These vessels should be on their way out. Umalis na kayo diyan,” Lorenzana said in a statement.

“We have already lodged our diplomatic protest stating unequivocally our stand on the issue. We, again, reiterate our demand for the Chinese to leave our sovereign territories and abide by international law,” he added.

The Philippines has already filed a diplomatic protest against China over the matter.

Apart from that, the Department of Foreign Affairs, through a letter, has also demanded the withdrawal of the Chinese ships from the West Philippine Sea, saying its presence was a blatant infringement of the country's sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction.

China earlier denied the presence of Chinese militia vessels off Julian Felipe Reef in the West Philippine Sea.

"There is no Chinese Maritime Militia as alleged," according to an embassy statement, adding that some Chinese fishing vessels only took take shelter recently near the reef "due to rough sea conditions."

The Julian Felipe Reef, called Niu’e Jiao by China, is a large boomerang shaped shallow coral reef at the northeast of Pagkakaisa Banks and Reefs (Union Reefs), located approximately 175 nautical miles west of Bataraza, Palawan.

It is within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf, over which the country enjoys the exclusive right to exploit or conserve any resources which encompass both living resources, such as fish, and non-living resources such as oil and natural gas.

"Niu’e Jiao is a part of China’s Nansha Qundao. Chinese fishing vessels have been fishing in its adjacent waters for many years," the embassy said. —Hana Bordey/KG, GMA News