Warm ties with Philippines made China pull out some vessels from Julian Felipe Reef —Palace

Malacañang on Monday cited warm relationship between the Philippines and China for the removal of some of the Chinese ships from the Julian Felipe Reef, which is within Manila's exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

At his regular press briefing, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque noted that the number of Chinese ships in the area has since dwindled from over 200 in March.

"220 po ang ships in early March, at dahil sa pag-uusap ni Chinese Ambassador [to the Philippines] Huang Xilian at ni President Duterte at sa ating warm relations with China, bumaba po ang numero. 136 po ang umalis. ‘Yung second batch ay another 65," Roque said.

(There were 220 ships there in early March, and because the President talked to the Chinese ambassador and our warm relations with China, 136 Chinese vessels left, and another batch of 65 left too.)

As of last count by Philippine authorities, there were at least 14 Chinese vessels near the reef. Beijing claimed the ships were just taking shelter in the area although Philippine government officials doubt this.

Roque is reacting to observations that Duterte's statements are not making an impact with China.

"We are still hoping that they (remaining ships) will leave the area. Kaya hindi po totoo na hindi pinansin ang President [It is not true China is ignoring the President)," said Roque.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. did not mince his words on China’s incursions on Monday when he tweeted that China should "get the f-- out" of Philippine waters.

Locsin made the remarks on the same day that the Department of Foreign Affairs said it has filed a diplomatic protest against China over what it described as "belligerent" actions of Chinese Coast Guard to Philippine Coast Guard vessels patrolling and conducting training exercises in the vicinity of Scarborough Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc.

Scarborough Shoal, located in the West Philippine Sea, is a traditional fishing area for all.

Asked if the Palace echoes Locsin’s sentiments, Roque said Locsin is free to speak his mind.

"Hindi po natin pinanghihimasukan ang karapatan ng malayang pananalita ni Secretary Locsin (We will not meddle with Secretary Locsin's right to free speech)," he said.

In a July 2016 ruling, the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration, ruling on a case filed by the Philippines, rejected China's claim of sovereignty in the entire South China Sea, a portion of which Manila calls West Philippine Sea.

The same court decision also ruled that the Spratly Islands, Panganiban (Mischief) Reef, Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal and Recto (Reed) Bank are within the Philippines' EEZ. --KBK, GMA News