By Christian Dee
MAYNILA – Sabado, Marso 4, nang namataan ng tauhan ng Philippine Coast Guard ang mahigit 40 Chinese vessel sa Pag-asa Island sa West Philippine Sea.
Tinatayang nasa 4.5 hanggang 8 NM (nautical miles) ang layo ng sasakyang pandagat ng People’s Liberation Army Navy at ng Chinese Coast Guard vessel mula sa naturang isla.
“The PLA Navy vessel and CCG 5201 have been observed to be slowly loitering within the surrounding waters of Pag-asa Island with a distance of 8 NM and 4 NM, respectively,” anang PCG.
Ayon sa PCG, ang dalawang naturang sasakyang pandagat mula sa China ay napansing pagala-gala sa paligid ng isla.
“Their continuing unauthorized presence is clearly inconsistent with the right of innocent passage and a blatant violation of the Philippines’ territorial integrity. The PCG, in compliance with the clear directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., will unceasingly carry out its patriotic duty in patrolling our waters in the West Philippine Sea,” anang PCG.
Ang labing-apat na hinihinalang Chinese maritime militia vessels ay nakitang naka-angkla sa layong 4 NM mula sa Pag-asa Cay 3.
28 hinihinalang CMM vessels naman ang binabantayan na nasa loob ng Pag-asa Cay 4.