MANILA, Philippines — Over 92 Chinese naval and coast guard vessels are spotted patrolling in the West Philippine Sea late Tuesday night, the Philippine Navy said.
In its bulletin, the Philippine Navy said an increase in the number of vessels had been observed from August 6 to 12. Specifically, nine People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) ships and 13 China Coast Guard vessels (CCGVs) were spotted in the West Philippine Sea, compared to six PLAN ships and 12 CCGVs reported from July 30 to August 5.
During this period, two China Research and Survey Vessels (CRSVs) were also sighted, an increase from the single CRS vessel observed the previous week.
The number of China Maritime Militia Vessels (CMMVs) spotted decreased to 68, a notable drop from the 106 reported in the prior week, it said.
Here is the breakdown of Chinese vessels spotted by authorities in the West Philippine Sea:
CCGVs spotted in the WPS (13 vessels):
– 3 in Bajo de Masinloc
– 5 in Ayungin Shoal
– 2 in Pagasa Island
– 3 in Sabina Shoal
PLAN ships spotted (9 ships):
– 1 in Ayungin Shoal
– 2 in Pagasa Island
– 1 in Likas Island
– 1 in Patag Island
– 3 in Sabina Shoal
– 1 in Iroquois Reef
CMMVs spotted (68 vessels):
– 6 in Bajo de Masinloc
– 4 in Ayungin Shoal
– 37 in Pagasa Island
– 2 in Lawak Island
– 6 in Panata Island
– 13 in Sabina Shoal
CRSVs spotted (2 vessels):
– 1 in Ayungin Shoal
– 1 in Patag Island
The Philippine government recently condemned China for dropping flares at a Philippine Air Force plane conducting aerial inspections in the West Philippine Sea last week. This marks the first violent attack from the Chinese side after the Department of Foreign Affairs announced that an agreement with Beijing was reached regarding the rotation and resupply missions of Philippine authorities in the area.
The foreign affairs bureau also stated that Manila has lodged a new diplomatic protest against Beijing concerning the incident.
