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AFP: Presence Of 48 Chinese Vessels Near Iroquois Reef Raises Concerns In West Philippine Sea
Photo credit: Western Command Armed Forces of the Philippines
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has expressed concerns over the presence of 48 Chinese fishing vessels swarming Iroquois Reef, located south of the oil and gas-rich Recto Bank in the disputed West Philippine Sea.
In a Facebook post on Friday, July 7, The AFP Western Command said that these developments raise an alarming concern about China's intentions and actions within these disputed waters.
The information was gathered during an air patrol conducted on June 30.
During multiple flights over Iroquois Reef, pilots aboard the Philippine Navy's Britten Norman Islander light patrol aircraft, NV312, observed the presence of the Chinese fishing vessels.
Lieutenant Edgard Abogado, the pilot-in-command of NV312, stated, "The swarming of Chinese fishing vessels (CFVs) there is quite visible from the air."
Lieutenant Karla Andres, co-pilot of NV312 added that "the CFVs were observed to be anchored in groups of five to seven and no fishing activities were noticed. They seem to just loiter in the area."
The AFP said that these recent findings confirm earlier Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) flights, which indicated a growing trend of Chinese fishing vessels in the area. The number of CFVs has increased from 12 in February to 47 as of June 12.
Simultaneously, an increased Chinese maritime presence has been detected at Sabina Shoal, with three China Coast Guard (CCG) ships and two People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels regularly loitering in the area compared to two wooden resupply boats from the Philippines and two Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels.
The AFP said that the Recto Bank, a significant feature for the Philippines holding immense potential for the country's energy security and economic growth, stands as a focal point in this rising concern over China's recent behavior.
"Recto Bank is a vital feature within the Philippine's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), and China must cease its swarming of vessels to respect our sovereign rights," said AFP Western Command spokesperson, Commander Ariel Coloma in a statement made earlier amid the latest development in Iroquois Reef and Sabina Shoal.
The AFP stated that it will send detailed reports to higher government officials in order to facilitate the potential filing of a diplomatic protest.
In a Facebook post on Friday, July 7, The AFP Western Command said that these developments raise an alarming concern about China's intentions and actions within these disputed waters.
The information was gathered during an air patrol conducted on June 30.
During multiple flights over Iroquois Reef, pilots aboard the Philippine Navy's Britten Norman Islander light patrol aircraft, NV312, observed the presence of the Chinese fishing vessels.
Lieutenant Edgard Abogado, the pilot-in-command of NV312, stated, "The swarming of Chinese fishing vessels (CFVs) there is quite visible from the air."
Lieutenant Karla Andres, co-pilot of NV312 added that "the CFVs were observed to be anchored in groups of five to seven and no fishing activities were noticed. They seem to just loiter in the area."
The AFP said that these recent findings confirm earlier Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) flights, which indicated a growing trend of Chinese fishing vessels in the area. The number of CFVs has increased from 12 in February to 47 as of June 12.
Simultaneously, an increased Chinese maritime presence has been detected at Sabina Shoal, with three China Coast Guard (CCG) ships and two People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels regularly loitering in the area compared to two wooden resupply boats from the Philippines and two Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels.
The AFP said that the Recto Bank, a significant feature for the Philippines holding immense potential for the country's energy security and economic growth, stands as a focal point in this rising concern over China's recent behavior.
"Recto Bank is a vital feature within the Philippine's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), and China must cease its swarming of vessels to respect our sovereign rights," said AFP Western Command spokesperson, Commander Ariel Coloma in a statement made earlier amid the latest development in Iroquois Reef and Sabina Shoal.
The AFP stated that it will send detailed reports to higher government officials in order to facilitate the potential filing of a diplomatic protest.
Jul 7, 2023
