MANILA, Philippines (AP) – An irritated Philippine defense chief on Saturday reiterated a demand for dozens of Chinese vessels to leave a reef claimed by Manila in the South China Sea, saying he would not be misled by Chinese allegations that the vessels do not take shelter from bad weather.
The Chinese embassy slammed back on what it called a “confusing statement” from Defense Minister Delfin Lorenzana, insisting that the vessels have the right to take refuge in what they believe was Chinese territory. “No one has the right to make unusual remarks about such activities,” he said.
The extraordinary hostile public exchange stemmed from the observation early last month by the Philippine Coast Guard of more than 200 Chinese vessels, which Lorenzana called ‘militias’ at the Whitsun Reef. The Philippines has launched a diplomatic protest, saying the reef, which it calls Julian Felipe, lies within an internationally recognized foreign territory, where it has the exclusive right to exploit fisheries, oil, gas and other resources.
China ignored Manila’s demand for Chinese vessels to leave the area, which he calls Niu’e Jiao and claims to be Chinese territory. The Chinese embassy in Manila said the vessels were hiding at the reef against rough sea conditions.
“The Chinese ambassador has many explanations to do,” Lorenzana said in a statement on Saturday, adding that the latest Philippine military surveillance showed that 44 Chinese vessels were still moored at the reef.
“I’m not a fool. The weather has been good so far, so they have no other reason to stay there. These vessels must be on their way. You have to get out of there, ”Lorenzana said on Saturday.
The Chinese embassy responded anew by reiterating that the vessels are taking cover in what is called the Chinese waters.
“It is perfectly normal for Chinese fishing vessels to fish in the waters and hide near the reef during rough seas,” the embassy said.
“We hope that the relevant authorities will make constructive efforts and avoid any unprofessional remarks that could further fuel irrational emotions,” the embassy said. It added that “China is committed to protecting peace and stability in the waters.”
Whitsun Reef is located in the Sprat List, the region most disputed in the South China Sea. The Philippines considers the resource-rich chain of islands, islets and atolls to be part of the western province of Palawan. But the foreign region is also being claimed in whole or in part by China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei. China has turned seven controversial reefs into rocket-protected island bases in recent years, raising tensions.
The United States has expressed its support for the Philippines, its longtime ally, and accused China of using ‘maritime civilian power’ to intimidate, provoke and threaten other countries, undermining peace and security in the region. Beijing denied that the vessels were part of a maritime militia.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has cultivated friendly ties with Beijing since taking office in 2016, and has been criticized for not immediately demanding Chinese compliance with an international arbitration ruling that undermines Beijing’s historic claims to virtually the entire South Chinese Sea does not invalidate. China has refused to acknowledge the 2016 ruling, which it called “a sham” and continues to taunt it.