The Philippines released a photo of a high-speed boat close to six Chinese fishing boats on Bau Daw beach in Vietnam’s Sinh Ton Dong territorial waters.
A photo released by the Philippine Coast Guard on 15 April shows the operation of the BRP Kabra patrol boat in the waters near the Bau Daw beach in the Sinh Ton Dong Islands area in the Spratly Islands, Vietnam. At least six iron shell fishing vessels were found anchored in the area.
Philippine rubber boats approached six Chinese fishing boats on 14 April. Image: PCG.
One photograph showed the Chinese ship 5203 on patrol in the South China Sea, but the Philippine Coast Guard said it was not present near Bau Beach.
Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Armand Balilo said, “We have no specific data. These photos help clarify the declaration of the West Philippine Coast Task Force (NTF-WPS).”
On April 13, Philippine Foreign Minister Todoro Loken wrote on Twitter that only 9 Chinese fishing vessels are operating on the Bau Daw beach. Philippine military commander Cirlito Alola Sobjana said that at least 28 Chinese ships are operating near the Spratly Islands, including marine and fishing vessels.
The Philippine Coast Guard approached the Chinese fishing vessel on 14 April. Image: PCG.
NTF-WPS announced on 13 April the deployment of a Marine Police ship, four naval vessels and two ships from the Department of Fisheries and Marine Resources.
The commander of the West Philippine Command, Vice-Admiral Ramil Roberto Enriquez, said the ships would operate in Bau Dau Beach, Thi Tu Island, Lawn Lawn and surrounding areas. The Sparitils have these entities which are subject to Vietnamese sovereignty, but the Philippines also claims sovereignty. Filipino forces are illegally controlling Thi Thu Island and Lawn Lawn.
Three-week presence of more than 200 Chinese fishing vessels in the South China Sea. Graphics: Ta Lu.
Since March 7, around 200 Chinese fishing boats have started to anchor in large groups on the Bau Daw beach. These ships were present here for several days without fishing despite favorable weather, then spread to other areas in the Spratly Archipelago.
The Philippines claimed that these ships were controlled by “Chinese maritime militia”, but China denied that these were just “fishing boats” that were anchored to avoid inclement weather. Many countries have expressed concern about new tensions in the region and have opposed the move by the Chinese fleet. Vietnam Affirmative The operation of Chinese ships violated Vietnam’s sovereignty, violated international law and requested China to stop violating and respecting Vietnam’s sovereignty.
Wu anh (According to Philstar)