Manila demands China leave 6 islands, reefs

MANILA — The Philippine government said Wednesday that more than 250 Chinese vessels it believes are operated by militia have been spotted near six Manilaclaimed islands and reefs in the disputed South China Sea and demanded that China remove them.

The gathering of the Chineseflagged vessels, along with four Chinese navy ships at a Chinese-occupied manmade island base, “is hazardous to navigation and safety of life at sea” and may damage coral reefs and threaten the Philippines’ sovereign rights, a government body overseeing the disputed waters said.

China has ignored a Philippine government diplomatic protest and a call more than a week ago for about 200 Chinese vessels to leave Whitsun Reef, stating that the maritime territory belongs to it and the Chinese vessels were sheltering from rough seas.

After carrying out aerial and maritime patrol missions, Philippine officials said 44 Chinese “maritime militia” vessels were still moored Monday at Whitsun Reef, which Manila calls Julian Felipe. More than 200 other vessels from the Chinese flotilla have apparently dispersed to five other areas in the Spratly group of islands, including three Chineseoccupied artificial islands, they said.

At least four Chinese navy ships were at Chineseoccupied Mischief Reef, the Philippine officials said. China took control of the reef in 1995, drawing strong protests from the Philippines and other claimant states.

Maxar Technologies A satellite image shows Chinese boats anchored at Whitsun Reef in the South China Sea. The U.S. backs Manila in the latest standoff in the disputed area.