Officials said that the Chinese vessels’ presence is stoking tensions in the area.
The escalating feud between Manila and Beijing started after more than 200 Chinese vessels suspected by Philippine authorities to be operated by militias were spotted early last month at Whitsun Reef.
The Philippine government demanded the departure of the vessels before deploying coast guard and patrol boats to the area, but China said it owns the reef and explained that Chinese vessels were sheltering from rough seas.
Some 220 Chinese vessels are seen moored at Whitsun Reef (National Task Force-West Philippine Sea/AP)
After summoning Ambassador Huang Xilian on Monday, Philippine foreign under-secretary Elizabeth Buensuceso expressed to him Manila’s “displeasure over the illegal lingering presence of Chinese vessels around Julian Felipe Reef”, the foreign affairs department said.
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