Huge Chinese naval fleet surrounds the disputed shoal

A large number of Chinese naval vessels have reached the disputed Scarborough Shoal, a sign that the ongoing territorial dispute between the Philippines and China is all set to worsen further.

Meanwhile, Philippine fishermen reported that the Chinese vessels forcibly prevented their entry to the disputed area and the surroundings. The notoriously ill-equipped Philippine Navy is also trying to respond with whatever resources it can find, by sending in a number of vessels to the area.

According to the Philippine sources, two of its naval vessels, the BRP Edsa II and the MCS 3001 are anchored in the region. The first one is a search and rescue ship, while the latter is a fisheries bureau official vessel. According to the sources, three Chinese Maritime Surveillance ships, in addition to the seven fishing boats and 23 utility boats are located within the disputed region.

Philippine official sources claimed that the Chinese vessels intimidated the Philippine fishermen by training powerful floodlights at them. The Philippine Coast Guard also acknowledged the situation, but conceded that there is not much it can do as of now. Yesterday, Fu Ying, the Chinese deputy foreign minister had summoned the Philippine embassy representative Alex Chua.

Meanwhile, Vice Admiral Alexander Pama of the Philippine Navy claimed that the new Hamilton class cutter, which the Navy recently acquired from the US, will reach the country this year after renovations. He said that the acquisition of the second cutter, in addition to the already operational BRP Gregorio del Pilar, will go a long way in strengthening the Navy.