South China Sea: Philippines says Whitsun Reef dispute shows China intends to occupy more ‘features’
- Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the continued presence of ‘Chinese maritime militias’ reveals their intent to further occupy parts of the waterway
- The arrival of more than 200 Chinese ships at the reef in the Spratly Islands sparked a diplomatic row between Manila and Beijing
“The continued presence of Chinese maritime militias in the area reveals their intent to further occupy features in the West Philippine Sea,” Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said in a statement, using the local name for the South China Sea.
It was the second hostile statement by Lorenzana in two days as he repeated calls by the Philippines for the Chinese boats to leave Whitsun Reef, which Manila calls the Julian Felipe Reef, located within its 200-mile exclusive economic zone.
Chinese diplomats have said the boats anchored near the reef – numbering more than 200 based on initial intelligence gathered by Philippine patrols – were sheltering from rough seas and that no militia were aboard.
On Saturday, Lorenzana said there were still 44 Chinese vessels at Whitsun Reef despite improved weather.
“I am no fool. The weather has been good so far, so they have no reason to stay there,” he said. “Get out of there.”