Philippines will increase naval presence to protect fishermen in South China Sea, military chief says
- China claims about 90 per cent of the South China Sea as its own and deploys its coastguard throughout the strategically important waterway
- Those are often accompanied by large numbers of fishing boats widely regarded as a Chinese maritime militia
“We will increase our visibility through the deployment of more naval assets, but I just want to make clear our navy presence there is not [to] wage war against China but to secure our own people,” Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana said in a media briefing.
China claims about 90 per cent of the South China Sea as its own and deploys its coastguard throughout the strategically important waterway. Those are often accompanied by large numbers of fishing boats seen widely as a Chinese maritime militia, which other claimants accuse of harassing their fishermen.
“That pronouncement by China that their coastguard can open fire at people intruding into their territory is very alarming,” Sobejana said. “It’s a very irresponsible statement because our people are not going to the disputed area to go to war but to earn a living.”
China’s embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the general’s remarks.