Chinese vessels seen in Pagasa Island now down to 30, says PCG exec

Philippine Coast Guard Commodore Jay Tarriela, spokesperson for West Philippine Sea.
INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / RICHARD A. REYES

MANILA, Philippines — The number of Chinese maritime militia vessels in Pagasa (Thitu) Island in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) decreased to 30, according to Philippine Coast Guard Spokesperson for WPS Commodore Jay Tarriela on Saturday.

Tarriela said that decreasing presence was detected by the monitoring of the AIS (automatic identification system) as of Saturday morning.

“Based on our current monitoring in the AIS as of this morning, the number decreased to more than 30 unlike the past few days where it reached almost 90 Chinese maritime militia,” Tarriela said in Filipino during a news forum in Quezon City.

READ: West Philippine Sea: Large fleet of Chinese ships seen in Pagasa Island

However, Tarriela said that this might be attributed to bad weather conditions over the island.

“If you’re going to ask me what is the particular reason why the Chinese maritime militia started swarming here in Pagasa, I would say it’s only because of the bad weather condition that compelled these vessels to anchor near Pagasa,” Tarriela added in a mix of Filipino and English.

Meanwhile, SeaLight director and retired US Air Force colonel Ray Powell said on Wednesday that around 73 to 75 large Chinese ships were spotted in the island, within its 12 NM territorial waters.

Powell pointed out that it was the largest presence of Chinese vessels he had seen in the island.

READ: West PH Sea: New hangar on Pagasa Island finished before yearend – AFP

Pagasa Island, the largest maritime feature in the Kalayaan Island Group, is home to 400 locals. China has repeatedly disregarded the Philippines’ victory in the 2016 international tribunal ruling over the ownership in the South China Sea.

Further, Tarriela also shared the presence of three Chinese research vessels in the eastern seaboard of the country, outside of the exclusive economic zone.