Chinese markers seen near Recto Bank

Yellow rubber buoys in Recto (Reed) Bank (Photo from Manila Livewire)

MANILA – Amid ongoing tensions in the West Philippine Sea, the Philippine Navy recently spotted a floating steel marker engraved with Chinese letters along with hundreds of buoys near Recto Bank (Reed Bank).

According to a Reuters report, a sailor was the first to discover the large steel marker and the rubber buoys which stretched ‘as far as the eye could see.’

“Our boys tried to cut and remove the buoys but a large Chinese patrol ship emerged on the horizon and they hurriedly left,” the sailor said, clarifying that he could not verify if Chinese ships placed the marker and buoys in Recto Bank.

Two senior naval officials later on confirmed finding the steel marker and yellow buoys in the disputed waters. The marker, however, was later on removed while the buoys stayed intact.

Recto Bank has also been claimed by China, along with numerous other reefs in the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, to which the West Philippine Sea coincides.

When asked about the marker and buoys, the Chinese foreign ministry simply answered with: “We do not understand what you are talking about.”

The foreign ministry asserted, however, that China had ‘indisputable sovereignty’ over the South China Sea and that their ‘position on this is clear and consistent.’

The Chinese defense ministry, for their part, remained mum on the issue anew.

Philippine military generals and strategists, on the other hand, fret that China may also seize Recto Bank. They also suspected that the buoys were placed for the benefit of Chinese fishermen.

Prior the discovery in Recto Bank, other markers and buoys were also spotted in other reefs in the West Philippine Sea.

First hearing

Meanwhile, The Hague started its hearing on the Philippines’ petition against its territorial disputes with China which recently completed reclamation works in various disputed reefs.

Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario will first ‘speak on the reason for the filing of the Philippines’ case’ then lawyers will present their arguments.

China, firm with its stand, refused to participate in the arbitration court’s hearing.

The Philippines had long explored for oil and gas deposits in the Recto Bank but recently suspended searches as it pursued arbitration in the disputed waters.