Aquino: New Chinese ships seen in Recto Bank

The Philippines has earlier called for a freeze on any provocative activity in the West Philippines Sea, however, President Benigno Aquino III said that new Chinese vessels have been seen in the disputed area.

On Sunday, in an exclusive interview with TV5 fully aired,
Aquino mentioned a military report on the presence of the Chinese hydrographic research vessels spotted at the resource-rich Recto Bank. Aquino pointed out that the Recto Bank is obviously  inside the country's Exclusive Economic Zone since it is only 80 nautical miles closer from Palawan.

Aquino also questioned the presence of the Chinese vessel in the disputed area and what studies they are conducting. He also hopes that the Chinese activity will not give any tension between Philippines and China. However, it was not stated in the aired interview when the military spotted the Chinese ships.

Earlier during his term as President, a ship that was sent by the Philippine government to do natural gas and oil exploration in Recto Bank was sent away by a Chinese vessel, Aquino recalled.  The President  has described a Chinese approach to the territorial disputes as "seasonal" but the invasion continues.

Lately, the Philippines has proposed a Triple Action Plan to reduce and manage tensions in the disputed territories.

The triple action plan includes  the following: On the first  stage, the Philippines is seeking a US-backed moratorium on construction efforts and other activities that may increase oceanic tensions. On the second state, the country is calling for the end of a binding sea Code of Conduct. And on the third approach,  the Philippines has filed an negotiation case in a United Nations tribunal that would explain the maritime entitlements of claimant countries in the disputed area.