Stop Chinese incursion and recall your boats in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). This was the bold reaction of Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Sunday night, March 22, after learning about verified reports that around 220 Chinese vessels manned by maritime militia were monitored at the Julian Felipe Reef (Union Reef) in West Philippine Sea. Lorenzana said that the Department of National Defense (DND) views “with grave concern” the presence of Chinese vessels in the Philippine territory which “is a clear provocative action of militarizing the area.”

Sadongdong, M. A., & Mabasa, R. C. (2021, March 23). Stop your incursion, recall boats from WPS, Lorenzana boldly tells China. Manila Bulletin, pp. 1, 2.