The Philippine Navy announced a significant rise in the number of Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels in the West Philippine Sea. From May 28 to June 3, eleven PLAN ships were observed, compared to just five the previous week, according to data released on Wednesday.
According to an ABS-CBN report, of these eleven warships, six were spotted near Sabina Shoal, also known as Escoda Shoal. In total, 125 vessels were monitored in Philippine-occupied areas during this period, comprising nine China Coast Guard ships, eleven PLAN vessels, and 105 Chinese maritime militia boats. This figure represents a slight increase from the 122 Chinese vessels observed the previous week.
Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad, confirmed that the PLAN conducted a two-day unilateral naval drill in Escoda Shoal on June 2 and 3. “They have no right to be within our EEZ. The conduct of their exercise is unauthorized under UNCLOS. It’s not allowed,” Trinidad asserted at a press briefing in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. He described the exercises as illegal and outside the bounds of international law, emphasizing the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ commitment to their mandate.
Sabina Shoal is approximately 75 nautical miles from mainland Palawan and serves as a key location for the Philippine Armed Forces’ resupply missions to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.
In response to China’s actions, Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero urged the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to raise the issue with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). He described the recent seizure of supplies intended for soldiers stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre as an escalation of regional tensions. “I hope the DFA tries to bring this to ASEAN,” Escudero stated, noting that while ASEAN is not a political association, it remains a crucial forum for discussing regional issues.
Escudero also mentioned that filing another arbitration case against China could be considered as a potential course of action.