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Reuters

The Philippine military is sending light fighter aircraft to fly over hundreds of Chinese vessels in disputed waters in the South China Sea, its defence minister said, as he repeated his demand the flotilla be withdrawn immediately.
International concern is growing over what the Philippines has described as a “swarming and threatening presence” of more than 200 Chinese vessels that Manila believes were manned by maritime militia.
The boats were moored at the Whitsun Reef within Manila’s 321-kilometre exclusive economic zone.
Protest over Beijing’s little blue men or waive South China Sea claims, Manila told
The Philippine military aircraft were sent daily to monitor the situation, Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said in a statement late on Saturday.
Lorenzana said the military will also strengthen its naval presence in the South China Sea to conduct “sovereignty patrols” and protect Filipino fishermen.
“Our air and sea assets are ready to protect our sovereignty and sovereign rights,” Lorenzana said.



The Chinese embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment. It has said the vessels at Whitsun Reef were fishing boats taking refuge from rough seas and that there were no militia aboard.
President Rodrigo Duterte reaffirmed to China’s ambassador, Huang Xilian, the Philippines had won a landmark arbitration case in 2016, which made clear its sovereign entitlements amid rival claims by China, his spokesman said last week.
Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, China and Vietnam have competing territorial claims in the South China Sea, through which at least US$3.4 trillion of annual trade passes.


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The Philippines

Philippine fighter jet flies over Chinese boats in South China Sea

The Chinse boats are moored at the Whitsun Reef in the South China Sea. Photo: Philippine Coast Guard/National Task Force-West Philippine Sea via AP

‘Prelude to occupation’: worries flare in Philippines as Beijing tells US not to provoke confrontation over Chinese ships

Chinese maritime vessels at the Whitsun Reef Photo: AFP

President Duterte has said he will talk to the Chinese ambassador about the issue. Photo: AP

Philippines sends navy on ‘sovereignty patrols’ to South China Sea amid fears Whitsun Reef is ‘Scarborough Shoal 2.0’

Chinese ships anchored at Whitsun Reef. Photo: AFP

A Philippine coastguard ship sails past a Chinese coastguard ship in the South China Sea. Photo: AFP

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. Photo: Reuters

Scarborough Shoal. Photo: Wikipedia

News

Asia

Southeast Asia


Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the military aircraft were sent daily to monitor the situation at the Whitsun Reef
More than 200 Chinese vessels are moored within Manila’s exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea



Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the military aircraft were sent daily to monitor the situation at the Whitsun Reef.


South China Sea

Rodrigo Duterte

China-Philippines relations