Over 200 China vessels massed at disputed reef in South China Sea: Philippines
Amid the ongoing tension due to China’s aggressiveness in the South China Sea, Phillippines on Monday said that over 200 Chinese vessels have massed at a reef in the west Philippine sea.In an announcement posted by the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) on its Facebook page, the National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea said ships have “massed” at the Julian Felipe Reef, the official Philippine name for Whitsun Reef.Julian Felipe Reef is a large boomerang-shaped shallow coral reef 175 nautical miles west of Bataraza, Palawan, and northeast of Pagkakaisa banks and reefs or the Union Reefs. The reef is claimed by China and the Philippines both.The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) shared photos dated March 7 showing the ships lined up at the reef. Commodore Armand Balilo, t...