THE Armed Forces of the Philippines has been ordered to boost its presence in the West Philippine Sea following the Chinese activities near Pag-asa Island.
In a statement Thursday, the Department of National Defense said any encroachment or reclamation on the features in the WPS is a threat to Pag-asa Island which is part of the country’s territory.
“Any encroachment in the WPS or reclamation on the features therein is a threat to the security of Pag-asa Island, which is part of Philippine sovereign territory,” it added.
The DND also said such actions also endangers the marine environment and undermines the stability of the region.
“We strongly urge China to uphold the prevailing rules-based international order and refrain from acts that will exacerbate tensions in the WPS and the larger South China Sea,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, Wescom, in a separate statement Thursday, said its regular naval and air patrols have observed the persistent presence of China militia vessels in three locations in the WPS.
“They were spotted in namely Pag-asa Cay 1 (Sandy Cay), Julian Felipe Reef (Whitsun Reef), and Panata Island (Lankiam Cay),” it added.
All activities and development in those areas are reported to the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTFWPS) for an appropriate response.
“Wescon shall continue conducting maritime patrols and sustaining our presence in the WPS to protect our nation’s territory and sovereign rights,” it added.
Earlier, DND officer-in-charge Undersecretary Jose Faustino Jr. expressed alarm over the reported swarming of Chinese ships off Iroquois Reef and Sabina Shoal in the WPS but maintained that they will not give up any part of the country’s territory and will continue with its regular maritime and air patrols.
“The DND views with great concern the reported swarming of Chinese vessels in Iroquois Reef and Sabina Shoal in the WPS,” he said in a statement on Dec. 14.
