Authorities in the Philippines have discovered several illegally built structures on a series of reefs in the South China Sea within the country's maritime borders.
The man-made structures were reportedly placed within the same area where China had parked a flotilla of fishing vessels allegedly manned by military forces.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines' maritime patrol said the Union Banks reef, known locally as the Pagkakaisa Banks, is under the jurisdiction of the Municipality of Kalayaan in the Palawan Islands.
Some of the structures were also reportedly built near the Pagkakaisa Banks and Reefs, or Union Reefs, just 175 nautical miles west of Bataraza, Palawan. The AFP said the structures were discovered by Philippine patrol vessels earlier in the week.
"During this patrol, we were able to document man-made structures that were built on some of the features. These structures are illegal," AFP chief-of-staff, Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, said Thursday.
Officials did not specify who they think had built the structures and only said that their presence in the area was a violation of international law.
"The Laws of the Sea gives the Philippines indisputable and exclusive rights over the area. These constructions and other activities, economic or otherwise, are prejudicial to peace, good order, and security of our territorial waters," Sobejana said.
Both China and the Philippines currently lay claim to Whitsun Reef, locally called the Julian Felipe Reef. Philippine officials claim that the reef falls within its exclusive economic zone. A United Nations tribunal ruled in favor of the Philippines' claim to the area in 2016; a decision ignored by China.
Despite international protests against its "nine-dash line" claim over most of the South China Sea, China has continued to build artificial islands on several reefs.
China has also maintained a substantial military presence in the area and built military fortifications, including building missile batteries, aircraft runways, and other advanced weapon systems.
Earlier in the week, China parked hundreds of fishing vessels near Whitsun Reef. Philippine officials protested the presence of the boats. China said the boats were temporarily just in the area as they were simply trying to escape rough seas.
