Phl monitors many CMM ships in WPS, slams China’s maligned info ops

The Philippines has monitored "a large number of Chinese maritime militia vessels" swarming in the features of the West Philippine Sea, National Security Council spokesperson, Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya, said Tuesday.

In a television interview, Malaya said these vessels were spotted "not only in the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal and Bajo de Masinloc but also in other features, including (Scarborough Shoal) and Sabina (Escoda) Shoal."

"We are alarmed by the environmental degradation our Coast Guard ships were able to monitor in these areas," he told the ANC.

Malaya noted that environmental degradation or coral destruction would have a direct impact on the livelihood of the fishermen in the WPS areas.

"Sometimes we forget the reasons why we are pushing our rights in the WPS, some critics are saying this is just posturing on the part of the Philippines or a tug-of-war between China and the Philippines. No this is not," he stressed.

"This is a battle for the resources of our country, particularly those for our fishermen so when we monitor coral destruction in other parts of the WPS, it alarms the Philippine government because it directly impacts the livelihood of our fishermen in WPS upon their livelihood relies," he added.

Hence, the Philippines has increased its maritime patrols and freedom of navigation missions in the WPS amid "limited capacity."

On the other hand, Malaya slammed China's "maligned information operation" and sharing of "false narratives" on its sweeping claims on the WPS—as shared with the public.

"Definitely, there's a maligned information operation going on nowadays that is shared to the public and we are just happy it is not just the Philippine government that is sharing our side here—we have allies—if we may call them witnesses from the media," he said.

"We have witnesses from the media who were there on the spot, who had access to the deck and who had access to the control center of the Philippine Coast Guard vessels, who listened to the radio challenges, who saw what was really happening, who were witnesses themselves to the overwhelming number of Chinese vessels acting in concert," he added.

Malaya asked the public should see the facts for themselves and not be urged by the information coming from Beijing.

Philippine officials have repeatedly called out China for its "propaganda" on its expansive claims in the South China Sea, which overlaps the country's exclusive economic zone in the WPS.