A total of 163 Chinese ships were monitored by the Philippine Navy (PN) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) in the past week, a period marked by a series of hostile engagements at sea between the two countries.
The deployment was recorded from Aug. 20 to 26, which was bigger than the 129 vessels logged from Aug. 13 to 19.
What was even noticeable was the increase of Chinese vessels in Escoda (Sabina) Shoal where BRP Teresa Magbanua has been deployed since April while being resupplied by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
“There is a marked increase in Escoda Shoal to disrupt the conduct of lawful activities by the PCG and BFAR [Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources],” Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad, PN spokesperson for WPS, said on Tuesday, Aug. 27.
“This is notable in the past days wherein PCG and BFAR ships were subject to coercive and aggressive actions,” he added.
In its monitoring from Aug. 13 to 19, the PN recorded 19 Chinese vessels in Escoda Shoal: five China Coast Guard (CCG) ships, two People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA-N) warships, and 12 Chinese maritime militia vessels (CMMVs).
This grew to seven CCG ships, six PLA-N warships, and 40 CMMVs from Aug. 20 to 26.
The PN also monitored 35 Chinese vessels in Pag-asa Island, 23 in Ayungin Shoal, 18 in Bajo de Masinloc, and 17 in Iroquois Reef.
There were also eight Chinese vessels in Kota Island, three each in Lawak Island and Panata Island; and one apiece in Parola Island, Likas Island, and Patag Island.
Meanwhile, there was no sighting of any Chinese vessel in Julian Felipe Reef.
Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief, said the military will continue to patrol the WPS despite China’s aggression.
“We have to establish our effective and sustainable presence in the West Philippine Sea,” Brawner said during the 35th International Military Law and Operations Conference at the Manila Hotel. “We have to assert our sovereignty and our sovereign rights.”
This month alone, there have been six recorded incidents of Chinese aggression in the WPS.
These include the blocking of PCG vessels in Escoda Shoal on Aug. 26, ramming and firing of water cannon against BFAR ship BRP Datu Sanday in Escoda Shoal on Aug. 25; launching of flares against a BFAR plane near Pag-asa Island on Aug, 22; collision with PCG ships in Escoda Shoal and use of flares against a BFAR plane both on Aug. 19; and firing of flares against a Philippine Air Force (PAF) aircraft in Bajo de Masinloc on Aug. 8.
“The Navy is concerned with all these coercive and aggressive actions that raise the risk for a miscalculation. The PN – and the AFP – maintains close coordination with the PCG and BFAR to ensure safety and the security of our exclusive economic zone,” Trinidad said.
Trinidad said the PN has increased its presence not only in Escoda Shoal but all over the nine features occupied by the Philippines in the WPS.