By Junex Doronio
MANILA – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) disclosed on Tuesday (06 Aug 2024) that the number of Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea has increased from 102 to 122.
In a media briefing at Camp Aguinaldo, AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla reported that a total of 122 Chinese Coast Guard, People’s Liberation Army Navy, and maritime militia vessels were observed in Philippine waters from July 30 to August 5.
These vessels were located in areas including Bajo de Masinloc, Ayungin Shoal, Pag-asa Islands, Escoda Shoal, and Rozul Reef.
“We challenge all foreign vessels. On the matter of enforcing maritime law, we leave it up to the Philippine Coast Guard,” said Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad.
This figure marks an increase from the 102 Chinese vessels spotted from July 23 to 29.
Included in the 122 vessels was China’s multi-purpose oceanographic research vessel Ke Xue San Hao in Escoda.
“The whole picture is that in the entire West Philippine Sea, we have monitored the presence of PLA Navy, the Chinese coast guard, and the maritime militia. Overall, their actions are illegal, their presence is illegal, sometimes they are coercive, aggressive, and deceptive,” Trinidad emphasized.
Despite an international tribunal ruling that its assertion has no legal basis, China continues to claim most of the South China Sea, including parts of the West Philippine Sea.
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