China's sonic device use escalating tension in WPS

China's latest act of using sonic devices to harass Philippine vessels and their crew in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) further proves how Beijing is the one increasing tension in the region, according to a Philippine military official.

- By MICHAEL PUNONGBAYAN

Philippine Navy spokesman for the WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad yesterday stressed that the use of long-range acoustic devices (LRAD) reflects "an increase in the aggression of the Chinese Communist Party in the West Philippine Sea."

"It only highlights the illegal presence, their coercive and now more aggressive actions, and their deceptive messaging by saying that Bajo de Masinloc (Panatag Shoal) is part of their territory," Trinidad told reporters.