Posted on 03/03/2011 12:11:55 PM PST by sukhoi-30mki
Philippines deploys 2 warplanes after local ship reports harassment by Chinese patrol boats
By Jim Gomez (CP) – 8 hours ago
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine military deployed two warplanes near the disputed South China Sea region after a local ship searching for oil complained it was harassed by two Chinese patrol boats, officials said Thursday.
The Chinese vessels later left without confrontation, said Philippine military commander Lt. Gen. Juancho Sabban.
The incident happened Wednesday at the Reed Bank, which is near the disputed Spratly Islands that are claimed by the Philippines, China and other nations, said Sabban, who heads the military's Western Command. Philippine officials said the Reed Bank is clearly within Philippine territory.
The Philippine government asked the Chinese Embassy to explain, presidential spokesman Ricky Carandang said.
"The boats approached in a way that the Philippine vessel thought it was better to back off," Carandang told The Associated Press.
Chinese Embassy spokesman Ethan Sun declined to immediately comment.
The Spratlys, a group of islands, reefs and atolls believed to be sitting stop vast oil and gas reserves, has been claimed in whole or in part by China, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam and the Philippines. It has long been regarded as a potential flash point for conflict in Asia.
Sabban said he deployed an OV-10 bomber plane and an Islander light aircraft to the Reed Bank to undertake surveillance after the Philippine ship radioed his command that two suspected Chinese patrol boats approached and ordered it to leave the area.
When the planes reached the area, the foreign vessels have left, he said.
"It's clearly our territory," Sabban told the AP. "If they'll bully us, well, even children will fight back."
The vast sea area where the incident
(Excerpt) Read more at google.com ...
a local ship searching for oil complained it was harassed by two Chinese patrol boats... at the Reed Bank, which is near the disputed Spratly IslandsThanks sukhoi-30mki.
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