By Bea Bernardo
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff LtGen. Cirilito Sobejana ordered the deployment of additional Navy ships to strengthen the maritime patrols in the West Philippine Sea.
In a statement, AFP Spokesperson MGen. Edgard Arevalo said the additional naval presence in the disputed area aims to reassure the people of the Armed Forces’ strong and unwavering commitment to defend the country’s maritime territory.
“In the vastness of our maritime domain, the military’s Western Command is government’s eye and ears by providing vital information on what is happening in that part of our country,” MGen. Arevalo pointed out.
He also confirmed that a dialogue between the AFP and its Chinese counterpart happened last March 24, 2021.
The Armed Forces conveyed the demand of Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana for the 183 Chinese vessels to leave the Julian Felipe Reef which were sighted during the recent military aerial patrol.
According to MGen. Arevalo, China’s People Liberation Army representatives reiterated its assurance that the ships were not manned by maritime militia and were only seeking shelter due to bad weather condition.
“He (China’s counterpart) also committed to making himself available to discuss and explain any future issues involving the PLA,” MGen. Arevalo reported.
Earlier, the National Task Force (NTF) for the West Philippine Sea expressed concern about the Philippine Coast Guard report that 220 Chinese fishing vessels, believed to be manned by Chinese maritime militia were spotted in the reef last March 7.
The Julian Felipe Reef is a large boomerang-shaped shallow coral reef northeast of Pagkakaisa Banks and Reef (Union Reefs), located approximately 175 nautical miles west of Bataraza, Palawan which is well within the Philippine’s Exclusive Economic Zone.
