The Philippine military has tallied 35 Chinese vessels operating across four contested features in the West Philippine Sea over a one-week period, underscoring the persistent nature of Beijing’s maritime presence in waters that international law recognizes as part of Philippine sovereign territory.
Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad (ret.), AFP spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said the ships were tracked between May 4 and 11 at Panatag Shoal, Ayungin Shoal, Escoda Shoal, and Pag-asa Island.
The heaviest concentration was recorded at Panatag Shoal, where 17 vessels — nine China Coast Guard ships and eight People’s Liberation Army Navy warships — were monitored. The shoal sits roughly 220 kilometers from Luzon, placing it squarely within the Philippines’ 370-kilometer exclusive economic zone. China has maintained effective control of the feature since a 2012 standoff that ended with the Philippine Navy withdrawing from the area.
At Ayungin Shoal, 194 kilometers off Palawan, the AFP counted seven vessels, including one PLAN ship and six coast guard units. Escoda Shoal, located approximately 195 kilometers to the west of Palawan, had five vessels — three PLAN ships and two coast guard vessels. Around Pag-asa Island, 528 kilometers west of Palawan, six vessels were recorded, comprising one PLAN warship and five coast guard ships.
