27 Chinese vessels operating in West Philippine Sea this week
The Armed Forces of the Philippines tracked at least 27 Chinese ships in the West Philippine Sea between Oct. 6 and Oct. 12, including Coast Guard and navy vessels.
From Oct. 6 to Oct. 12, the Armed Forces of the Philippines recorded the presence of at least 27 Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea, according to Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad. The fleet comprised both Chinese Coast Guard ships and People’s Liberation Army Navy vessels. At Ayungin Shoal, five Coast Guard and four navy ships were sighted; Bajo de Masinloc had eight Coast Guard and four navy vessels.
Escoda Shoal was visited by a single PLAN boat, and the Pag-asa Islands saw three Coast Guard and two navy ships. The West Philippine Sea includes the Luzon Sea and waters surrounding the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc. The monitoring underscores ongoing disputes despite a 2016 Hague tribunal ruling that dismissed China’s claims.
Why it matters
The sightings highlight continuing Chinese activity in disputed waters, raising regional security concerns.
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