The Philippines yesterday demanded that China withdraw its maritime militia vessels from Julian Felipe (Whitsun) Reef, saying their continued presence and activities in the area “blatantly infringe upon Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction.” “The Philippines demands that China promptly withdraw its fishing vessels and maritime assets in the vicinity and adjacent waters of relevant features in the Kalayaan Group of Islands in the West Philippine Sea, and to direct its fishing vessels to desist from environmentally destructive activities,” the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement. The DFA issued the statement two days after it filed a diplomatic protest against Beijing over the Julian Felipe Reef incursion.

Lee-Brago, P., Punongbayan, M., & Villanueva, R. (2021, March 24). DFA demands withdrawal of China vessels from reef. The Philippine Star, p. 2.