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Gov't probes pursuit of TV crew by Chinese vessels in West PH Sea; public urged to coordinate with authorities on travel in area
Gov't probes pursuit of TV crew by Chinese vessels in West PH Sea; public urged to coordinate with authorities on travel in area
The government has asked the public planning to venture into the West Philippine Sea to coordinate with authorities before their voyage.
The latest reminder was issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) pending an investigation into reported pursuit of a Filipino vessel by armed Chinese vessels in the local waters.
"The public is reminded to coordinate with Philippine authorities when planning a visit to the Kalayaan Island Group in the West Philippine Sea," the DFA said in a statement Saturday, April 10.
The foreign affairs department meantime assured the public that it would raise the maritime incident with China if the report is proven true.
"Philippine authorities are looking into reports of Chinese vessels chasing after a television crew aboard a Philippine vessel in the West Philippine Sea. If proven to be true, the Department of Foreign Affairs will raise the matter with the Chinese government," the DFA said.
"In the meantime, the Department is thankful that the crew and the Filipino vessel are safe,' it added.
The military earlier announced an investigation into the report that Chines boats pursued a civilian vessel carrying the television crew while sailing in the West Philippine Sea. The crew was reportedly traveling towards Ayungin Shoal when the vessel was supposedly chased by a Chinese coast guard ship and two attack vessels.
Tension over the disputed territory has risen in recent weeks after Manila protested the unlawful stay of over 200 Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea last month. The ships, supposedly manned by Chinese maritime militias, anchored at Julian Felipe Reef have repotted dwindled to 44 but other vessels merely dispersed to other areas in the West Philippine Sea.
China, whose excessive claims over the resource-rich waters have been nullified by an arbitration court, has ignored the Philippines' protest, insisting the fishing vessels were taking refuge due to rough sea condition.