Now na! Philippines asks China to withdraw vessels at Julian Felipe Reef

By Prince Golez

The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) on Wednesday called on China to order its vessels to “immediately” leave Julian Felipe Reef in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

In a statement, the NTF-WPS reiterated the country’s sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the entire Kalayaan Island Group in the disputed WPS.

“NTF-WPS stands by its observation that these so-called ‘fishing’ vessels are maritime militia. Their build-up and massing formation from Julian Felipe Reef to other areas of the Kalayaan Island Group is hazardous to navigation and safety of life at sea,” the task group said.

“They may be doing illicit activities at night and their lingering (swarming) presence may cause irreparable damage to the marine environment due to marine pollution and destruction of coral reefs. Their swarming also poses a threat to the peaceful exercise of sovereign rights of the Philippines in its EEZ (exclusive economic zone),” it stated.

Also, the NTF-WPS thanked the country’s international partners who share common adherence to rules-based order consistent with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, as affirmed by the 2016 Arbitral Award.

“Neither the Philippines nor the international community will ever accept China’s assertion of its so-called “indisputable integrated sovereignty” over almost all of the South China Sea, part of which is the WPS,” the statement further read.

Around 220 Chinese fishing vessels, believed to be manned by Chinese maritime militia personnel, were seen moored near Julian Felipe Reef since as early March 7.

In a March 22 statement, the Chinese Embassy in Manila said the boats were just taking shelter due to poor weather.

Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)