A West Philippine Sea (WPS) monitor reported on Tuesday that two Chinese fishing vessels were operating off the coast of Aurora Province.
“At least two Chinese fishing boats—the Lu Rong Yu 51794 and Lu Yan Yuan Yu 017—are currently operating off the east coast of the Philippines, less than 20 nautical miles from the San Ildefonso Peninsula (Casiguran, Aurora Province, Luzon),” said US retired military official Ray Powell.
The coast of Aurora is significantly distant from China’s landmass and is located to the east of the Philippines.
On Monday, following the devastation caused by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine, a Chinese Coast Guard vessel conducted an intrusive patrol along the coast of El Nido, Palawan.
“While the Philippines’ Coast Guard is preoccupied with recovering from the devastation caused by the deadly Tropical Storm Kristine, China Coast Guard 3103 conducts an intrusive patrol to assert China’s sovereignty claims within 38 nautical miles of El Nido, Palawan,” Powell stated.
The Navy previously indicated that China’s actions in the WPS are illegal.
Editor’s note: This is a developing story.
