NSC dispels China’s invasion in WPS as ‘hyperbole’, ‘exaggeration’

National Security Council spokesperson Jonathan Malaya on Monday refuted and dispelled claims that China is in "invasion mode" by intentionally swarming the West Philippine Sea. 

Malaya, speaking at the PTV-4's Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon public briefing, said the supposed swarming of the China Coast Guard and Chinese Maritime Militia vessels in the country's key features in WPS, particularly the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin shoal, can be considered "more of a hyperbole or is an exaggeration of what is happening there."

He was referring to a social media post by Former US Air Force official and ex-Defense attaché Ray Powell, claiming the CCG and CMM vessels swarming in the WPS "looks like an invasion mode, highly unusual and a show of force" by China.

Malaya admitted that personnel Armed Forces of the Philippines in Western Command have monitored a huge number of Chinese foreign vessels in the entire WPS.

"But if we are talking on facts on the ground, hindi po totoo (it's not true) that the Chinese is in invasion mode. In fact, they left already," he said.

Citing a report received by the NSC, Malaya noted that only one CCG vessel (5204) is left within the Ayungin shoal.

"Sa ngayon po naka-monitor tayo ngayon, I got the latest data na 'yung CMM ay umalis na po lahat ano, they already left as of yesterday's report and na-confirm din natin ngayong umaga (We are monitoring the situation, and as of now, I got the latest data which shows that all CMM ships have left, they already left as of yesterday's (Sunday) report and this was confirmed in today's report)," said Malaya. 

"To our fellow citizens who are worrying that China is invasion or invading the BRP Sierra Madre. We would like to dispel this report," he added.