MANILA – Higit 200 Chinese maritime militia vessels ang natuklasang namamalaot sa isang bahagi ng West Philippine Sea.
Batay sa report ng Philippine Coast Guard, na ipinadala sa National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea, tinatayang 220 maritime militia vessels ng Beijing ang naka-angkla sa Julian Felipe Reef noong March 7.
“Despite clear weather at the time, the Chinese vessels massed at the reef showed no actual fishing activities and had their full white lights turned on during night time,” ayon sa NTF.
Sakop ng Exclusive Economic Zone ng Pilipinas ang Julian Felipe Reef, na isang malaking coral reef, na may hugis boomerang.
Matatagpuan ito sa hilagang-silangan ng Pagkakaisa Banks and Reefs, at 175-nautical miles sa kanluran ng Bataraza, Palawan.
Sinasabing mayaman sa iba’t-ibang natural resources tulad ng isda, langis, at natural gas ang naturang bahagi ng karagatan.
“The NTF-WPS notes this circumstance as a concern due to the possible overfishing and destruction of the marine environment, as well as risks to safety of navigation.”
Nangako ang task force na babantayan ang sitwasyon para maprotektahan ang kasarinlan ng estado sa West Philippine Sea.
“In consonance with the Philippine commitment to the United Nations Convention for the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the Government shall continue to peacefully and proactively pursue its initiatives on environmental protection, food security and freedom of navigation in the West Philippine Sea as part of its overall national security policy.”
