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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider AFP: Number of Chinese vessels around Ayungin Shoal down from 24 to nine

AFP: Number of Chinese vessels around Ayungin Shoal down from 24 to nine

Published Sep 8, 2025 04:59 pm
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) observes an increase in the presence of Chinese vessels in Ayungin Shoal on Aug. 20, 2025. China Coast Guard vessels have been seen conducting maneuvers and drills involving the use of water cannons at sea, while a number of smaller craft such as rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIBs) and fast boats armed with mounted weapons, are deployed inside the shoal. (File photo: AFP)
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) observes an increase in the presence of Chinese vessels in Ayungin Shoal on Aug. 20, 2025. China Coast Guard vessels have been seen conducting maneuvers and drills involving the use of water cannons at sea, while a number of smaller craft such as rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIBs) and fast boats armed with mounted weapons, are deployed inside the shoal. (File photo: AFP)
Due to bad weather conditions, the number of Chinese vessels monitored around Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal has significantly decreased from 24 to nine, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) disclosed Monday, Sept. 8.
AFP spokesperson for West Philippine Sea (WPS) Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad said two China Coast Guard (CCG) ships and seven Chinese maritime militia boats were spotted in the vicinity waters of Ayungin on Sunday, Sept. 7.
“For yesterday, medyo bumaba nang kaunti ang numbers. This could be most likely on account of the weather, masama iyong panahon ngayon sa karagatan natin (For yesterday, the numbers went down slightly. This is most likely due to the weather, as the conditions in our seas are bad right now),” he said in a television interview over government-run PTV.
He said the number was within the range of China’s deployment in Ayungin, although he maintained that the vessels' presence is “illegal” as they are within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Ayungin, located 105 nautical miles west of Palawan and is within the 200-nautical mile EEZ of Manila, was swarmed by four CCG ships and 20 maritime militia vessels last week in an apparent intimidation of Filipino sailors and marines manning the BRP Sierra Madre outpost.
Trinidad still refused to confirm whether or not a new resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal was held last week but international monitors said two Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ships were seen en route to Ayungin as they were confronted by two dozen Chinese vessels.
“The conduct of the resupply is an operational activity, details of which we leave to the Western Command. But we will not leave them (troops) or let them go hungry. Kailangan suportahan natin. It’s a moral obligation ng ating leadership (We need to support them. It’s a moral obligation of our leadership),” he noted.
The admiral assured the public that if ever China would conduct more coercive and aggressive actions during the AFP’s resupply mission, “we have enough contingency plans in place to be able to respond.”
“Kung sakaling may mga coercive and aggressive actions and—marami naman iyan eh every now and then they play it up eh—we ensure that all our actions are within the bounds of law. Our posturing is not aggressive, non-provocative. Maliwanag iyong sinabi ng ating Commander-in-Chief (President Marcos Jr.), we are not here to provoke. We are here merely to secure and to protect what is ours. Wala naman tayong inaangkin na hindi sa atin. We’re only protecting what is ours,” Trinidad said.
(In case there are coercive and aggressive actions—and there are many of them as they play it up every now and then—we ensure that all our actions remain within the bounds of the law. Our posture is not aggressive, not provocative. As our Commander-in-Chief [President Marcos Jr.] has clearly stated, we are not here to provoke. We are here solely to secure and protect what is rightfully ours. We are not claiming anything that does not belong to us. We are only protecting what is ours.)

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