A US maritime safety skilled mentioned Saturday that 21 Chinese maritime militia ships have been noticed heading in the direction of Pag-asa Island within the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Former US Air Force official and ex-Defense Attaché Ray Powell mentioned on Twitter that the Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) BRP Cabra discovered itself within the midst of a redeployment of the Chinese vessels touring northwards to Pag-asa Island.
The 21 Chinese vessels have been believed to be amongst these swarming on the Ayungin Shoal through the August 5 incident when the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) carried out harmful maneuvers and illegally used water cannons in opposition to Philippine vessels that have been on a resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre.
At least 19 Chinese militia ships additionally remained on the Ayungin Shoal, in keeping with Powell.
“Any CCG ships still in the area have remained [automatic identification system]-dark, as have any PLA Navy ships (always dark),” he tweeted.
Powell mentioned three CCG vessels that took half within the blockade returned to Hainan Island, whereas three others remained “AIS-dark and are unaccounted for.”
China claimed that the Philippine authorities had promised to take away the BRP Sierra Madre from the Ayungin Shoal, which Beijing calls Ren’ai Jiao.
However, on Wednesday, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. denied that the Philippine authorities made such a promise to China.
A be aware verbale was additionally despatched to China following the incident within the Ayungin Shoal.
GMA News Online sought remark from the PCG relating to the latest developments within the WPS, nevertheless it had but to reply as of posting time. — DVM, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
