New Delhi: The Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) hit out at the Chinese Embassy in Manila Monday about the way it spoke of its Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana. Lorenzana had earlier called on Chinese vessels anchored at the vicinity of Julian Felipe, also known as Whitsun Reef, to leave.
Whitsun Reef is part of the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ), though China claims it is included under their ‘nine-dash line’. The nine-dash line, adopted from Chinese maps in the 1940s, represents Beijing’s claim over the South China Sea and all the land features contained within the line.
“The Department of Foreign Affairs denounces the Embassy’s attempt to impugn the Secretary of National Defense – a Cabinet Official of the Republic of the Philippines – by calling his statement ‘unprofessional’,” read a statement from the DFA.
The DFA added that it “strongly deplores” the recent statement from the embassy, adding that it contains “blatant falsehoods”.
On Saturday, the Chinese Embassy iterated a statement made on 22 March that the vessels were taking refuge near the reef owing to bad weather. The embassy called Lorenzana’s call for the vessels to leave “perplexing” and asserted that the reef is part of China’s Nansha Qundao.
The embassy added: “…we hope that the authorities concerned would make constructive efforts and avoid any unprofessional remarks which may further fan irrational emotions.”
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Manila and Beijing have been engaged in a verbal tussle since last month, when more than 200 Chinese fishing vessels were sighted, anchored off the Whitsun Reef.
The fleet reportedly included vessels from China’s maritime militia, though Beijing has denied this charge. A report by the South China Morning Post observed that ships from the People’s Armed Forces Maritime Militia are used by Beijing to seize maritime territory non-violently.
In its statement, the Philipines’ DFA called for the immediate withdrawal of the Chinese vessels from the area, else for “every day of delay, the Republic of Philippines will lodge a diplomatic protest”.
Earlier, Lorenzana had commented on the continued presence of Chinese vessels since last month saying, “I am no fool…The weather has been good so far, so they have no other reason to stay there.”
On 28 March, he issued a strongly worded statement that stated, “We are ready to defend our national sovereignty and protect the marine resources of the Philippines.” Lorenzana said there are plans to increase the presence of the Philippine Navy and Philippine Coast Guard ships to conduct sovereignty patrols and protect fishermen in the West Philippine Sea.
Last week, Germany and France too had expressed concern over the presence of Chinese vessels near reefs claimed by the Philippines.
(Edited by Poulomi Banerjee)
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