MANILA, Philippines — Naitala ng Armed Forces of the Philippines nitong Martes ang 74 barko ng China malapit sa apat na mahahalagang maritime features sa West Philippine Sea noong Hunyo, mas mababa kumpara sa 82 barkong namonitor noong Mayo.
Ayon kay AFP spokesperson for the WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, kabilang sa mga namonitor ang mga barko mula sa People’s Liberation Army Navy at China Coast Guard.
Mula Hunyo 1 hanggang 30, namonitor ng AFP ang 41 barko sa Bajo de Masinloc, kabilang ang 16 PLA-N at 25 CCG vessels; 16 barko sa Ayungin Shoal, kabilang ang 4 PLA-N at 12 CCG vessels; 8 barko sa Escoda Shoal, kabilang ang 5 PLA-N at 3 CCG vessels; at 9 barko sa Pag-asa Island, kabilang ang 4 PLA-N at 5 CCG vessels.
“These figures underscore the conduct of ICAD activities that undermine the rules-based international order and violate the Philippines’ sovereign rights and jurisdiction within its maritime domain,” ayon kay Trinidad.
“Such actions contribute to regional tensions and highlight the importance of continued vigilance and adherence to international law,” dagdag niya.
Sinabi ni Trinidad na kabuuang 20,494 barko ang namonitor ng AFP noong Hunyo, kabilang ang 17,374 foreign vessels at 3,120 domestic vessels. Sa kabuuang bilang, 14,548 ang tumugon sa radio challenges habang 5,946 ang hindi sumagot.
“Amid these developments, the Armed Forces of the Philippines remains steadfast in fulfilling its mandate to safeguard the nation’s maritime interests,” ayon sa AFP. RNT
