By Junex Doronio
MANILA — As the June 15 enforcement of China’s arrests of “trespassers” nears, the Philippine Navy on Tuesday (11 June 2024) revealed that from June 4 to 10, it spotted a total of 146 Chinese vessels in eight maritime features — 108 of which were Chinese Maritime Militia vessels (CMMV), 22 were People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels, and 16 were China Coast Guard vessels (CCGV).
On Monday (10 June 2024), PN spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad said they are no longer surprised by the presence of Chinese vessels in the area, but maintained that these foreign vessels should not be lingering there as the reef is located within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
About 50 Chinese vessels were located at the Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal), which is 105 nautical miles west of Palawan and is within the country’s 200-mile EEZ.
There were 42 vessels also detected at Pag-asa Island, and 33 were at the Scarborough Shoal (Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal).
Some vessels were also seen at Kota Island, Likas Island, Lawak Island, Panata Island, and Sabina Shoal.
Over the weekend, security analyst Ray Powell shared on social media the satellite imaging of at least 30 Chinese maritime militia vessels in Rozul or Iroquois Reef within the country’s EEZ.
(el Amigo/mnm)
