Philippines to fire off diplomatic protest over Chinese survey ships, warships
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines' top diplomat confirmed that the Department of Foreign Affairs will be protesting the presence of Chinese survey ships in Philippine waters.
"Okay, got it, General. [DFA] firing off diplomatic protest," Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. tweeted in response to the remarks of Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.
Lorenzana urged the Philippine government to ask the Beijing why Chinese research vessels and warships are entering Philippine exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Okay, got it, General. @DFAPHL firing off diplomatic protest. https://t.co/xF7oT7mWhl
— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) August 9, 2019
The Defense chief, however, admitted that the Philippine military has yet to confirm the presence of Chinese survey ships in the country's EEZ.
Ryan Martinson, assistant professor at China Maritime Studies Institute of the US Naval College, tweeted photos of two Chinese oceanographic survey ships located operating in Philippine waters.
The first one was Zhang Jian spotted 80 nautical miles off the east coast of the Philippines, which started operating there since August 3.
Chinese research ship Dong Fang Hong 3 was also detected in northern Luzon on August 7.
Now we have the Chinese oceanographic survey ship "Zhanjian" operating just 80 nautical miles off the east coast of the Philippines. Is it operating there with Manila's permission? (file photo) pic.twitter.com/R1lwJrNp3V
— Ryan Martinson (@rdmartinson88) August 6, 2019
Add the Dong Fang Hong 3 to the list of Chinese survey ships operating in the Philippines exclusive economic zone today. Would require Manila’s permission to conduct research there. (file photo) pic.twitter.com/j8lx96E1tR
— Ryan Martinson (@rdmartinson88) August 7, 2019
"We're to confirm this on our own especially in the east fronting Pacific Ocean because we do not have any radar equipment there to monitor the area," Lorenzana said, adding that the military's radars cannot also detect the supposed Chinese ship in Ilocos Norte in the West Philippine Sea.
Lorenzana earlier confirmed that Chinese warships passed through the Sibutu Strait in Tawi-Tawi at least four times from February to July.
The DND chief stressed that China should inform the Philippines what its ships are doing in the country's EEZ.
"If their intention is only to study the area or the fish or whatever the marine life there, then it is not a security threat but if they are doing other things like making reconnaissance or surveillance of our positions then it's a threat," Lorenzana said.
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