Another case of harassment at sea by the Chinese has been reported – this time near Pag-Asa Island last Saturday – involving a helicopter, which hovered dangerously close to a group of Filipino scientists doing research work on a sand bar called Sandy Cay, causing minor injuries.
Photo taken on March 23 and received from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources shows a Chinese helicopter hovering as Philippine scientists inspect Sandy Cay near Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea.MANILA, Philippines —
Sought for comment on the Sandy Cay incident, Department of Agriculture spokesman Arnel de Mesa said they are not authorized to issue statements on the West Philippine Sea issue. BFAR is an attached agency of the DA. Reporting on the incident, China coast guard said 34 Filipinos had “illegally” landed on the reef it calls Tiexian Jiao and which the Philippines calls Pagasa Cay 2.
Some of the countries with overlapping claims to Kalayaan Island Group, including China and Vietnam, have turned reefs into artificial islands where they have built ports, airstrips and military facilities. UPLB’s Interdisciplinary Studies Center for Integrated Natural Resources and Environment Management said it had gathered data in Bagac, Mariveles and Morong earlier this month under the project “Natural Capital Accounting of Coastal and Marine Ecosystems in the West Philippine Sea” .
Beijing, he said, “failed to mention the factual narrative that China Coast Guard once again illegally and recklessly harassed the Philippine Coast Guard and the AFP’s supply boat during the legitimate routine resupply operation.” Asked about the details of the Philippines’ reported commitment, foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian only repeated Beijing’s accusation that the Philippines illegally grounded the warship, in violation of China’s territorial sovereignty.
“The US and certain countries made infringements and provocations in the South China Sea in the name of freedom of navigation, undermining peace and stability in the South China Sea. This is sheer gangster logic,” Lin said.
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