MANILA, Philippines — In what could be a show of force, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the Philippines has increased its presence at the Julian Felipe Reef in the West Philippine Sea, as he reiterated his call for Chinese vessels to withdraw from the area.
“As I have always affirmed, we are ready to defend our national sovereignty and protect the marine resources of the Philippines,” Lorenzana said in a statement.
“Thus, there will be an increased presence of the Philippine Navyand Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ships to conduct sovereignty patrols and protect our fishermen in the West Philippine Sea,” he went on.
Lorenzana added that the navy and coast guard have b…
Keep on reading: PH increases presence in WPS after China’s latest incursion