22/03/2013
Philippine naval security forces are set to conduct “sovereignty patrols” in the South China Sea to check on possible intrusions by Chinese vessels conducting naval exercises within the country’s maritime boundaries, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Thursday.
DFA spokesman Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez said Thursday the Philippine Navy and Philippine Coast Guard were sailing to waters in disputed areas within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and continental shelf to check on the presence of Chinese navy ships.
Xinhua said the warships would undertake training exercises that include “command post establishment, operational maneuvering from the sea and high sea convoy missions.”
Without directly commenting on the report, Hernandez said, “It is always important that other countries respect our maritime zones and territories because such exercises could not be undertaken without our permission if they are done [in areas that] encompass part of our national territory.”
Read more at Inquirer.
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