Philippines' defence chief says China intends to occupy more South China Sea areas

MANILA, April 4 (Reuters) - The Philippines' defence chief
said on Sunday China was looking to occupy more areas in the
South China Sea, citing the continued presence of Chinese
vessels that Manila believes are manned by militias in disputed
parts of the strategic waterway.
"The continued presence of Chinese maritime militias in the
area reveals their intent to further occupy (areas) in the West
Philippine Sea," Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said in a
statement, using the local name for the South China Sea.
It was the second hostile statement by Lorenzana in two days
as he repeated calls by the Philippines for the Chinese boats to
leave Whitsun Reef, which Manila calls the Julian Felipe Reef,
located within its 200-mile exclusive economic zone.
Chinese diplomats have said the boats anchored near the reef
- numbering more than 200 based on initial intelligence gathered
by Philippine patrols - were sheltering from rough seas and that
no militia were aboard. On Saturday, Lorenzana said there were still 44 Chinese
vessels at Whitsun Reef despite improved weather conditions.
"I am no fool. The weather has been good so far, so they
have no reason to stay there," he said.
The Chinese Embassy in Manila responded to Lorenzana's
comments, saying it was "completely normal" for Chinese vessels
to fish in the area and take shelter near the reef during rough
sea conditions. It added, "Nobody has the right to make wanton
remarks on such activities."
An international tribunal invalidated China's claim to 90%
of the South China Sea in 2016, but Beijing does not recognise
the ruling and has built artificial islands in the disputed
waters equipped with radar, missiles batteries and hangars for
fighter jets.
"They have done this (occupy disputed areas) before at
Panatag Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc and at Panganiban Reef,
brazenly violating Philippine sovereignty and sovereign rights
under international law," Lorenzana said in his Sunday
statement.