By Junex Doronio

MANILA — As the “final countdown” to the June 15 commencement of arrests for “trespassers” begins, a maritime security analyst revealed on Monday (June 3, 2024) that Chinese vessels “remain in blockade positions” at Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal) and Escoda Shoal (Sabina Shoal) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), which China unlawfully claims as part of its imaginary nine-dash line.

This development comes despite President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s condemnation of what he calls “illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive actions” that violate the Philippines’ “sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction.”

“I’m not tracking any Philippine ships moving toward Second Thomas Shoal, but China thinks something is happening,” said Ret. US Air Force Col. Ray Powell, director of SeaLight, a maritime transparency initiative of the Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation at Stanford University.

He cited the South China Sea monitor SCS Probing Initiative’s post on X, stating that “a new Philippine resupply mission with building materials at Second Thomas Shoal is likely to begin soon.”

Powell reported that at least 16 Chinese maritime militia vessels were spotted at Ayungin Shoal as of 6 a.m.

“China’s maritime militia has now deployed into blockade positions east of Second Thomas Shoal and south of Sabina Shoal,” he added.

(el Amigo/mnm)