5 Chinese vessels in Julian Felipe Reef, boat in 2019 collision from same operator, says US think tank

An organization of maritime security experts said on Thursday that the five Chinese militia vessels that swarmed Julian Felipe Reef (Whitsun Reef) and the Chinese boat, which damaged Filipino fishing boat Gem-Ver at Reed Bank, were from the same port operators.

The Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI), which gives analysis in maritime security in Asia, reviewed the bow numbers and characters of the five Chinese vessels which moored at the Reef last March 7.

After cross referencing the numbers and characters, AMTI identified the boats as Yuemaobinyu (????) 42881, 42882, 42883, 42885, and 42886, that has the name of the Chinese boat, Yuemaobinyu 42212, which is responsible for the destruction of Gem-Ver boat in June 2019.

"These names will sound familiar in the Philippines. In early 2019, the Yuemaobinyu 42212—so named because it operates from the same port as these five—rammed and sank the Philippine fishing vessel F/B Gem-Ver 1 at Reed Bank," AMTI said in its report.

Two years ago, AMTI said Yuemaobinyu 42212 may be manned by Chinese maritime militia but it could not conclusively prove its claim. 

In early March, the National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea documented more than 200 Chinese ships staying at Julian Felipe Reef, which is within Philippines' exclusive economic zone. 

The Philippines already filed daily protests and summoned Chinese envoy over the Chinese vessels that swarmed the disputed waters.

Chinese ships remained in weeks or even months

AMTI also believed that some of the Chinese vessels stayed in the area for weeks or even months.

"Many are trawlers which, by definition, must move to fish. And blue skies have debunked the initial excuse from the Chinese Embassy in Manila that they were riding out a storm," the think tank said.

The think tank said the Chinese vessels have been present at the Reef since at least February 2020, which was reported by Radio Free Asia.

"The Philippine government’s response to the surge in militia vessels at Whitsun has drawn attention to the area. But Chinese boats did not just start gathering there over the last few months. Satellite imagery from Planet Labs shows that significant numbers of vessels have been at Whitsun since at least February 2020—a fact earlier reported by Radio Free Asia," AMTI said.

AMTI said Chinese vessels "never really disappeared," adding that they also frequently occupy other parts of Union Banks.

"Other parts of Union Banks are occupied by China (Johnson and Hughes Reef) and Vietnam (Sin Cowe Island, and Collins, Grierson, and Lansdowne Reefs). Chinese vessels appear to frequently bounce between Whitsun and other parts of Union Banks, such as unoccupied Kennan Reef next to the Chinese base at Hughes," it said.

On April 13, authorities also discovered Chinese warships and 240 militia ships scattered at the West Philippine Sea during their sovereignty patrols.—Consuelo Marquez/LDF, GMA News