MANILA (Reuters) – The Philippine military is sending light fighter jets to fly over hundreds of Chinese ships in disputed waters in the South China Sea, the defense minister said, reiterating his demand for the fleet to be withdrawn immediately.
International concern is mounting over what the Philippines has described as a “swarming and threatening presence” of more than 200 Chinese ships manned by maritime militias, according to Manila.
The boats were moored at Whitsun Reef in Manila’s 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone.
The Philippine military planes were sent daily to monitor the situation, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said in a statement late Saturday.
Lorenzana said the military will also strengthen its sea presence in the South China Sea to conduct “sovereignty patrols” and protect Filipino fishermen.
“Our assets in the air and at sea are poised to protect our sovereignty and sovereign rights,” said Lorenzana.
The Chinese Embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment. It is said that the ships on the Whitsun Reef were fishing boats taking refuge from rough seas and that there were no militias on board.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte confirmed to Chinese ambassador, Huang Xilian, that the Philippines won a groundbreaking arbitration case in 2016 in which their sovereign rights became clear amid rival claims from China, his spokesman said last week.
Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, China and Vietnam have competing territorial claims in the South China Sea, passing at least $ 3.4 trillion in trade annually.
Reporting by Karen Lema; Editing by Stephen Coates