The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) reported on Wednesday (May 12) that more Chinese ships were sighted in the Julian Felipe Reef in the West Philippine Sea.
Based on the maritime patrol conducted on May 9 by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), 34 Chinese ships were spotted in the said area, while 77 Chinese ships were seen at Chigua Reef and three Vietnamese vessels at Sin Cowe East Reef.
“As for the features forming part of the Pagkakaisa (Union) Banks, the 9 May 2021 maritime patrol reported the presence of 34 CMMs at Juan Felipe (Whitsun) Reef (JFR), two Vietnamese (VN) logistics/supply ships, and one VN Coast Guard vessel at Sin Cowe East (Grierson) Reef and 77 CMMs in Chigua Reef,” the task force said.
 The NTF-WPS said there are 287 Chinese maritime militia vessels in the area. The task force reiterated that Julian Felipe Reef and other portions of the Pagkakaisa Bank, such as the McKennan or Chigua Reef and the Grierson or Sin Cowe East Reef, are under the Municipality of Kalayaan.
Meanwhile, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) on May 7 and May 8 drove away three Chinese vessels anchored in the Sabina Shoal.
The BFAR sent a radio challenge to the ships and due to shallow water, used rubber boats to escort them away from the shoal.
The NTF-WPS said the government is continuously monitoring the area because it is under Philippine jurisdiction. It added that it will continue to fight for the country’s sovereignty and rights in the territorial dispute. #
Report from Bea Bernardo/NGS-jlo
