By Junex Doronio

MANILA — The Philippine Navy (PN) on Tuesday (13 Aug 2024) revealed that the number of Chinese military, Coast Guard, and research ships monitored in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) has increased.

It noted that from August 6 to 12, there were nine People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) ships, 13 China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels, and two research vessels in the WPS.

The PN said these are higher compared to the three PLAN ships, 12 CCG vessels, and one research ship monitored in the previous week.

However, the number of Chinese maritime militia (CMM) vessels decreased from 106 to 68.

ia/mnm

By Junex Doronio

MANILA — The age-old adage that “there are no permanent friends or enemies but only permanent self-interest” proved to be true when the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), through the Philippine Navy (PN), and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) conducted the first bilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) on Friday (2 August 2024) in the West Philippine Sea.

In an AFP statement, it said the joint activity was part of the ongoing efforts to strengthen regional and international cooperation towards realizing a free and open Indo-Pacific.

To recall, during the Second World War Japan attacked the Philippines for being an ally of the United States subsequently occupying the archipelagic country for three years.

“This collaborative exercise enhanced the tactical capabilities of the Philippine Navy and the JMSDF and reinforced the strong ties and mutual commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the region,” the AFP said.

With the aggressive actions of China in the West Philippine Sea, several countries, including Japan, Australia, and the US, have expressed concerns that this may disrupt peace and stability in the region.

Ironically, former China’s paramount leader Deng Xiaoping had warned that one day China would become a social-imperialist country, meaning, socialist in words but imperialist in actions by conquering other countries.

“The JMSDF and the PN are dedicated to promoting security and stability in the Indo-Pacific, demonstrating their shared commitment to upholding a rules-based international order,” the AFP concluded.

(ia/mnm)

MANILA – The Philippine Navy’s latest report shows a reduction in Chinese vessels across various West Philippine Sea (WPS) areas.

From June 25 to July 1, a total of 95 Chinese ships were spotted, down from 129 in the previous week.

The breakdown includes 13 China Coast Guard Vessels (CCGVs), six People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) ships, and 76 Chinese maritime militia vessels (CMMVs). Notably, the number of PLAN vessels increased by one since June 24.

Specific sightings were detailed:

Bajo de Masinloc: 5 CCGVs, 1 PLAN vessel, 8 CMMVs

Ayungin Shoal: 5 CCGVs, 2 PLAN vessels, 13 CMMVs

Pagasa Island: 1 CCGV, 1 PLAN vessel, 20 CMMVs

Parola: 1 CMMV

Panata: 1 PLAN vessel, 7 CMMVs

Sabina Shoal: 2 CCGVs, 1 PLAN vessel, 3 CMMVs

Juan Felipe Reef: 20 CMMVs

Recto Bank: 4 CCMVs

Additionally, Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad confirmed that the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong was monitored approximately 200 nautical miles from Luzon, within the Philippine exclusive economic zone.

Trinidad noted that such passages are permitted under international law’s freedom of navigation principles.

(el Amigo/mnm)

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)