MANILA, Philippines—Chinese vessels remained in place on Julian Felipe (Whitsun) Reef in the West Philippine Sea, apparently defying a diplomatic protest and a demand by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana for them to leave the area, which is inside the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
According to data from reconnaissance flights led by the Western Command (Wescom) on Monday (March 22), the vessels were still in the area, some 175 nautical miles of Bataraza town, Palawan province and well within the Philippines’ EEZ. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has yet to release new figures.
“They’re still there and we’re counting carefully,” AFP chie…
Keep on reading: China ships ignore protest, won’t leave PH EEZ in West Philippine Sea