The number of Chinese military, Coast Guard, and research vessels in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) has significantly increased, according to the Philippine Navy. From August 6 to 12, the Navy monitored nine Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) ships, 13 China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels, and two research ships in the area, surpassing the counts from the previous week.
During the same period, the presence of Chinese maritime militia vessels saw a decrease, with 68 vessels reported, down from 106 the week before. The vessels were observed across various strategic locations in the WPS, including Bajo de Masinloc, Ayungin Shoal, and Pagasa Islands.
The Philippine Navy also reported that on August 7, a CCG vessel shadowed a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) ship assisting Filipino fishermen in the area. Additionally, during joint military exercises involving the Philippines, the United States, Australia, and Canada on August 7-8, three PLAN vessels were spotted.
Tensions between the Philippines and China remain high, with the Philippines filing a diplomatic protest against China following a dangerous air force maneuver over Scarborough Shoal. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. condemned the incident, labeling it as “unjustified, illegal, and reckless.”
Efforts to de-escalate and manage disputes between the two nations continue as confrontations in the WPS persist.