China’s maritime militia vessels lingering in Julian Felipe Reef and the claim that the territory forms part of its Nansha Islands show Chinese intent to occupy the area in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said yesterday. Rejecting China’s claims in a second strongly-worded statement, Lorenzana declared: “The utter disregard by the Chinese embassy in Manila of international law, especially the UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) to which China is a party, is appalling.” Last Saturday, the defense chief admonished China over the continued presence of 44 of its vessels in Julian Felipe Reef, telling them: “Umalis na kayo diyan (Leave that area now).”

Punongbayan, M., Lee-Brago, P., Flores, H., & Porcalla, D. (2021, April 5). China out to occupy other WPS features - DND chief. The Philippine Star, p. 2.