MANILA, Philippines- Mayroong “concerning resurgence” ng swarming activity ng dalawang dosenang Chinese fishing vessels sa West Philippine Sea (WPS), ayon sa Philippine military nitong Huwebes.
Base sa air patrols na isinagawa noong September 6 at 7, sinabi ng Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Command (Wescom) na 23 Chinese fishing vessels (CFVs) ang naobserbahan sa Rozul (Iroquios) Reef, dahilan upang maging “most prominent location” ito ng umano’y swarming activity.
Inihayag ng Wescom na labag ang presensya ng Chinese fishing vessels sa Rozul Reef sa sovereign rights at hurisdiksyon ng Pilipinas dahil saklaw ang reef ng Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) at continental shelf ng bansa.
“Previous swarming incidents in the area have also been followed by reports of massive coral harvesting, further raising concerns about their harmful environmental impact,” anang Wescom.
Sa August 24 report, inihayag ng Philippine Navy na 33 Chinese fishing vessels ang namataan sa Rozul Reef sa routine air patrol, base sa Wescom.
Samantala, inihayag ng Wescom, nangangasiwa sa Palawan at sa Kalayaan Group of Islands, na nakita ang swarming sa Escoda (Sabina) Shoal na may limang Chinese fishing vessels, at sa Baragatan (Nares) Bank na may dalawang Chinese fishing vessels.
Gaya ng Rozul Reef, saklaw ang Escoda Shoal ng Philippine EEZ at nagsisilbing palatandaan ng paglapit sa Ayungin Shoal, na bahagi ng Kalayaan Group of Islands.
“The increased presence of CFVs raises concerns regarding the potential implications for Philippines’ maritime security, fisheries conservation, territorial integrity, and preservation of the marine environment,” pahayag ng Wescom sa Facebook.
“These activities have been a source of tension in the WPS and have contributed to instability in the region,” dagdag nito.
Sa kasalukuyan ay wala pang komento ang Chinese Embassy sa Manila ukol sa umano’y swarming activity.
Inaangkin ng Beijing ang halos kabuuan ng South China Sea, kabilang ang West Philippine Sea WPS sa hindi nito pagtalima sa July 2016 ruling ng UN Permanent Court of Arbitration sa The Hague na bumabasura sa claims nito.
Sa gitna ng swarming activity, inilahad ng Wescom na ang Philippine security officials “will remain vigilant and take necessary measures to safeguard its vital national interests and maintain stability in the region.” RNT/SA
