The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reported a record number of Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea, with 251 ships monitored between September 17 and 23, 2024. This marks a significant increase from the 157 vessels recorded the previous week.
The surge includes ships from the China Coast Guard, People’s Liberation Army Navy, Chinese Maritime Militia, and research and survey vessels. Philippine Navy Spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, attributed the spike to improved weather conditions following recent tropical cyclones.
“This time ito ang pinakamalaking increase,” said Trinidad, noting the sharp rise in numbers. He emphasized that while the AFP continues monitoring, the increase in Chinese ships, particularly at Sabina Shoal, coincided with the departure of the BRP Teresa Magbanua, which had been stationed there for five months.
The number of Chinese ships at Sabina Shoal, for instance, rose from 65 to 82, while Ayungin Shoal and Iroquois Reef also saw increases in Chinese Maritime Militia vessels.
Despite this escalation, Trinidad assured the public that the AFP remains capable of projecting its force across the contested areas. “It is again within the force projection capability,” he said, adding that Filipino access to Ayungin and Sabina Shoals remains unaffected.
The AFP continues to maintain its mandate of monitoring and patrolling the West Philippine Sea, asserting that no single entity has control over the area.