MANILA (Reuters) – The Philippine military is sending light fighters to fly over hundreds of Chinese ships in disputed waters in the South China Sea, its defense minister said, in repeating his demand for an immediate withdrawal of the flotilla.
International concern is growing with what the Philippines described as an “abundant and threatening presence” of more than 200 Chinese ships that Manila believes are manned by maritime militias.
The boats were moored at the Whitsun Reef, in the exclusive 200-mile economic zone of Manila.
Philippine military planes were dispatched daily to monitor the situation, Defense 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 resources are ready to protect our sovereignty and sovereign rights,” said Lorenzana.
The Chinese embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment. He said the ships on Whitsun Reef were fishing boats that took refuge from the rough seas and that there was no militia on board.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte reaffirmed to China’s ambassador, Huang Xilian, that the Philippines won a historic arbitration case in 2016, which made clear its sovereign rights amid China’s rival claims, his spokesman said last week. .
Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, China and Vietnam have competing territorial claims in the South China Sea, where at least $ 3.4 trillion in annual trade passes.
(Reporting by Karen Lema; Editing by Stephen Coates)