MANILA – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reported on Tuesday that Chinese vessels continue to be present in key areas of the West Philippine Sea.
From July 30 to August 5, a total of 122 Chinese vessels, including those from the coast guard, People’s Liberation Army Navy, and maritime militia, were observed in Philippine waters at locations such as Bajo de Masinloc, Ayungin Shoal, Pag-asa Islands, Escoda Shoal, and Rozul Reef, according to AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla during a media briefing at Camp Aguinaldo.
This count includes China’s multi-purpose oceanographic research vessel Ke Xue San Hao in Escoda.
The number of Chinese vessels increased from the 102 spotted between July 23 and 29.
“[We] challenge all foreign vessels. On the matter of enforcing maritime law, we leave it up to the Philippine Coast Guard,” stated Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad.
“The overall situation is that in the entire West Philippine Sea, we have monitored the presence of PLA Navy, the Chinese coast guard, and the maritime militia. Their actions are illegal, their presence is illegal, and at times they are coercive, aggressive, and deceptive,” he added.
China asserts claims over most of the South China Sea, including areas of the West Philippine Sea, despite an international tribunal’s ruling that these claims have no legal basis.
Tensions at sea have escalated as Chinese and Philippine ships encounter each other more frequently, with Beijing intensifying its efforts to enforce its claims in the strategic waterway.