The Philippines has leveled allegations against China for "crowding" a reef near its shore, following the sighting of over 135 military vessels in the South China Sea.
The coast guard reported that the vessels were "spread out and dispersed" near Whitsun Reef, an area they claim is part of their exclusive economic territory.
They expressed concern over the increasing appearance of these military vessels, describing it as "disturbing".
A territorial conflict involving China, the Philippines, and several other nations is centered around the South China Sea.
The reef known as Whitsun Reef, or Julian Felipe Reef as referred to by the Philippines, is situated approximately 320 kilometers west of Palawan Island. This is over 1,000 kilometers away from Hainan Island, which is the closest significant Chinese landmass.
The Coast Guard of the Philippines reported that the count of Chinese naval militia ships in the region had risen from the 111 tallied in November. China has not yet responded.
Tensions have escalated between the two nations due to conflicting territorial rights since Ferdinand Marcos Jr assumed the presidency last year.
The Philippines conducted two distinct air and sea surveillance operations with the US last week, and a few days prior, they had done a similar operation with Australia.
A global court dismissed China's assertion over 90% of the South China Sea in 2016. However, Beijing has not acknowledged this decision and has continued to construct islands in these controversial waters in the past few years.
The disputed waters have also turned into a maritime focal point for Sino-American relations. In October, US President Joe Biden cautioned that the US would protect the Philippines if they were to be attacked.
Days following two incidents of Filipino and Chinese ships colliding at sea, President Biden made his remarks.
Parts of the sea are also claimed by Taiwan, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Brunei.
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What is the conflict about in the South China Sea?
Biden asserts that the US will protect the Philippines if China initi
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