The Philippine defence chief has demanded more than 200 Chinese vessels he said were manned by militias leave a South China Sea reef claimed by Manila, saying their presence was a "provocative action of militarising the area".
When asked if the Philippines would file a protest, Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr tweeted, "only if the generals tell me".The vessels are fishing boats believed to be manned by Chinese military-trained personnel, according to Philippines security officials.The vessels' presence in the area raises concern about overfishing and the destruction of the marine environment, as well as risks to safe navigation, a Philippine cross-government task force said late on Saturday.
China's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Sunday, and calls to the Chinese embassy in Manila seeking comment went unanswered. "When Xi says 'I will fish,' who can prevent him?" Mr Duterte said two years ago as he defended his non-confrontational approach, referring to Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The member of Manila who also represent a Australia electoral should have a solution for this.
Need the First Fleet.
New normal - get used to it
Chinese vessels in South China Sea is provocative and US carriers in there is peace keeping. That’s a good one