Chinese vessels in West Philippine Sea decreased – PH Navy

/ 04:39 PM July 23, 2024

China’s West Philippine Sea gray zone tactics: It’s still war CONFERENCE

WPS COMPOSITE IMAGE from Inquirer, AFP, Reuters file photos

MANILA, Philippines — The number of Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) decreased from July 16 to 22, the Philippine Navy reported on Tuesday.

According to the Navy, there were 80 China Coast Guard (CCG) ships, People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) warships, and Chinese maritime militia (CMM) vessels from July 16 to 22. This was less than the 105 CCC ships, PLA-N warships, and CMM vessels monitored from July 9 to 15.

Article continues after this advertisement

In the latest monitoring period, seven CMM vessels and three CCG vessels were spotted at Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, one of the tension hotspots between Manila and Beijing.

FEATURED STORIES

Meanwhile, two PLA-N warships, 14 CMM vessels, and four CCG vessels were seen at the Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, another major flashpoint of tensions in the WPS.

READ: Bad weather may cause decrease of Chinese militia ships in West PH Sea

Article continues after this advertisement

Last June 11, Navy spokesperson Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad said the presence of the CMM is “dictated” by several factors like weather.

Article continues after this advertisement

“The weather affects all players and claimant countries, not only China, Vietnam and the Philippines,” he said in a press conference when asked if there is an expected decrease of vessels due to the rainy weather.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: Number of China vessels rose slightly in West Philippine Sea

Last week, the Department of Foreign Affairs said the Philippines and China reached an “understanding” on the “temporary arrangement” for the rotation and resupply missions to BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: PH, China agreement reached on Ayungin

It came after the June 17 incident at Ayungin Shoal, which saw the most violent actions of CCG so far, leading to what the Philippine military deem as “looting” of its disassembled high-powered guns and even caused the thumb amputation of one of its naval personnel.

In his third State of the Nation Address on Monday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. vowed to “find ways to de-escalate tensions in contested areas … without compromising our position and our principles.”

READ: Marcos: West Philippine Sea not an imagination, it will always be ours

Armed Forces of the Philippines chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. on Tuesday said he fully supports Marcos.

“With the firm belief that peaceful channels such as dialogue and diplomacy are keys to peacefully resolving disputes, we will continually engage, build partnerships, and seek wider international support for what is rightfully ours,” Brawner’s statement read.

Brawner also enjoined the country’s allies “to make a united stance against those that seek to undermine the [2016] arbitral ruling” that recognized the Philippines’ rights over the WPS.

The WPS is a portion of the South China Sea that falls within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. However, China claims almost all of the South China Sea, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, and Malaysia.

In 2016, the arbitral tribunal ruled in favor of the Philippines and said China’s claims have no legal basis.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

The landmark ruling stemmed from a case filed by Manila in 2013, a year after its tense standoff with Beijing over the Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, whose lagoon the latter now has effective control of.

For comprehensive coverage, in-depth analysis, visit our special page for West Philippine Sea updates. Stay informed with articles, videos, and expert opinions.

TAGS: Ayungin Shoal, BRP Sierra Madre, China aggression, China Coast Guard, Philippine Navy, South China Sea, West Philippine Sea

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2025 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.