MANILA – The Philippine Navy has reported an increase in the number of Chinese ships in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), with a total of 125 vessels observed from May 28 to June 3.
According to an advisory released Tuesday night by Philippine Navy spokesperson for the WPS, Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad, the fleet consists of nine China Coast Guard Vessels (CCGVs), 11 People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) ships, and 105 China Maritime Militia Vessels (CMMVs). This represents a slight rise from the 122 Chinese vessels noted in the previous week from May 21 to 28.
The ships were spotted in the following locations within the WPS:
Bajo de Masinloc: 3 CCGVs and 15 CMMVs
Ayungin Shoal: 4 CCGVs, 2 PLAN ships, and 26 CMMVs
Pagasa Island: 1 CCGV, 2 PLAN ships, and 33 CMMVs
Parola Island: 1 CMMV
Likas Island: 1 CMMV
Lawak Island: 1 PLAN ship
Panata Island: 4 CMMVs
Patag Island: 2 CMMVs
Sabina Shoal: 1 CCGV, 6 PLAN ships, and 23 CMMVs
Commodore Trinidad highlighted the increased maritime activity in these strategically significant areas of the West Philippine Sea.
(Rep. by el Amigo/MNM)
