Philippines' defence chief says China intends to occupy more South China Sea areas

Chinese vessels anchored at Whitsun Reef, some 320 kilometres west of Palawan Island in the South China Sea. - AFP

MANILA, April 4 (Reuters): The Philippines' defence chief said on Sunday China was looking to occupy more areas in the South China Sea, citing the continued presence of Chinese vessels that Manila believes are manned by militias in disputed parts of the strategic waterway.

"The continued presence of Chinese maritime militias in the area reveals their intent to further occupy (areas) in the West Philippine Sea," Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said in a statement on Sunday (April 4), using the local name for the South China Sea.