Manila, Feb. 18 -- A ranking Philippine Navy (PN) official said the constant and illegal presence of Chinese maritime forces in the country's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and naval exercises hosted by the Philippines and its allies is part of China's efforts to gain control of the entire South China Sea.

"The illegal presence of the PLAN (People's Liberation Army Navy) CCG (China Coast Guard) and the maritime militia (within) our EEZ is a deliberate attempt to change the status quo and disregard international law. The endstate of the Chinese Communist Party is sea control of the entire South China Sea," PN spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad said Wednesday to the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

T...