26 China maritime militia vessels swarming Rozul Reef—expert

South

MANILA, Philippines — Twenty-six Chinese maritime militia vessels were at Iroquois (Rozul) Reef, according to an American maritime expert.

Ray Powell, who leads Project Myoushu (South China Sea) at the Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation at Stanford University, revealed this in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter) Sunday.

READ: Chinese warships presence in West Philippine Sea doubles

“China’s maritime militia swarm at Iroquois Reef has grown to at least 26 ships as of June 2,” Powell wrote.

“The reef is at the SW corner of Reed Bank in the Philippines’ EEZ (exclusive economic zone), 125 nm (nautical miles) from Palawan,” he added.

Powell further said that the figure nearly increased “fourfold” compared to the seven rafted vessels monitored in the area last April 22.

Apart from this, a report from the Philippine Navy last June 4 revealed that it has monitored 125 vessels, including 105 Chinese maritime militia vessels, 11 People’s Liberation Army-Navy warships, and nine China Coast Guard vessels in the West Philippine Sea.