Militia vessels in Philippine waters bares China’s expansionist ambitions —group

A research group on Wednesday pointed out China’s supposed expansionist ambitions with its deployment of some 200 vessels over the West Philippine Sea.

In a forum, Stratbase ADR Institute for Strategic and International Studies (ADRi) president Dindo Manhit condemned China's claims in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

“The persistent and deliberate swarming maneuverings of their maritime militia vessels in Philippine waters reveals China’s expansionist ambitions and renders false their pronouncements to safeguard peace and stability in the region,” he said.

The group also condemned the disrespectful conduct of the Chinese Embassy after offending Philippine officials with its recent pronouncements.

“This behavior is unbecoming of its official engagement as diplomatic guests of the Republic of the Philippines,” Manhit said.

The institute also called on the Duterte administration to focus its foreign policy stance on national sovereignty, territorial integrity and national interest to serve and protect the people as stated by the 1987 Constitution.

“We support the move to forge stronger ties with regional partners and allies in maintaining regional peace and stability through joint efforts of maritime patrol and military exercises,” Manhit said.

On March 7, around 220 vessels were spotted in the Julian Felipe Reef in the West Philippine Sea, located at 320 kilometers (200 miles) west of Palawan Island.

Based on the latest report of National Task Force WPS released Tuesday, 240 Chinese militia vessels were scattered in the territorial waters off Kalayaan in Palawan and in the Philippines EEZ.

Aside from these, six vessels of the Chinese navy, including at least three warships, have been spotted in the WPS.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has been demanding for the immediate removal of the Chinese vessels near Julian Felipe Reef.

The Chinese Embassy 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.

The Philippines has filed a diplomatic protest for the alleged incursion of the Chinese vessels.—LDF, GMA News