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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider AFP observes more Chinese warships in WPS in July

AFP observes more Chinese warships in WPS in July

Published Aug 5, 2025 03:52 pm
A Chinese People's Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) warship with bow number
A Chinese People's Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) warship with bow number "164" conducts helicopter landing exercises on its flight deck about 69.31 nautical miles off Cabra Island, Occidental Mindoro on July 12, 2025. (Courtesy of Philippine Coast Guard)
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) monitored a total of 12,996 foreign and local vessels in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) in July, but a more significant observation was the increase in the number of Chinese warships seen in the western part of the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Data provided by AFP spokesperson for WPS, Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, on Tuesday, Aug. 5, showed that 10,782 foreign vessels and 2,214 local vessels passed through the WPS from July 1 to 31.
He clarified that not all foreign vessels were necessarily Chinese vessels.
He said 46 Chinese vessels were monitored in the WPS in July, which is slightly lower than the 49 vessels recorded in June. He attributed the decline to “maintenance and repair schedules” of the Chinese ships.
Out of the 46 Chinese vessels, 22 were People’s Liberation Army – Navy (PLA-N) warships while 24 were China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels. The AFP data indicated that the number of PLA-N warships increased by three, compared to 19 in June, while CCG vessels dropped by six, from 30.
At Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough or Panatag Shoal), the number of PLA-N vessels increased to 15 from 14. The shoal is located at 124 nautical miles from the nearest coast of Zambales, well within the 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Philippines.
At Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, the number of PLA-N warships also rose to five from two. Philippine Navy (PN) ship BRP Sierra Madre remains stationed there to serve as an AFP outpost even as Chinese state media released “old” footage showing Philippine boats being towed by Chinese forces near the grounded vessel.
The only feature that marked a decline in the number of Chinese warships was Pag-asa (Thitu) Island, where the presence dropped to two PLA-N warships in July from three in June.
Meanwhile, the number of CCG ships increased to 13 in July from the preceding month’s record of nine at Bajo de Masinloc.
At Ayungin Shoal and Pag-asa Island, the number of CCG ships dropped to 12 from eight, and to three from nine, respectively.
Trinidad reiterated that the incursion of Chinese vessels in the WPS was “illegal” as he urged the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to withdraw its forces from the disputed waters.
(Courtesy of Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, AFP spokesperson for WPS)
(Courtesy of Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, AFP spokesperson for WPS)

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AFP Chinese vessels PLA-Navy China Coast Guard WPS
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