China ships maintain presence in key West Philippine Sea areas

MANILA, Philippines — While Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) have decreased in number, they have maintained a presence in three key land features where naval and coast guard ships have intensified operations in the past seven days, according to the Philippine Navy.

Latest monitoring by the Philippine Navy showed armed ships of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) maintaining a menacing presence around the grounded BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal, Panatag Shoal and Escoda Shoal.

According to the Philippine Navy, there are 17 Chinese military vessels and 28 China Coast Guard (CCG) boats spotted inside the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) between Sept. 23 and 30, or one vessel more than in the previous week Sept.17-23.

Five of the warships were seen roaming around the vicinity of Escoda Shoal, along with 10 CCG vessels and 12 maritime militia vessels (MMVs).

There are also two PLAN ships in Ayungin Shoal as well as 10 CCG boats and 12 MMVs, while two military vessels and two CCG boats and 46 MMVs were spotted near Pagasa Island.

Overall, there were fewer Chinese vessels in the WPS during the period Sept. 24-30 at 178 from a record high of 251 in the previous week.

The vessels include 131 MMVs scattered around different features and locations and two research vessels seen in the vicinity of Panatag Shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc.

Philippine Navy spokesman for the WPS, Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, said they have no explanation yet for the drop in the number of Chinese vessels in Philippine waters.

“We have to be prepared for the ‘long game’ in the West Philippine Sea and look at the strategic or bigger picture,” he told reporters.

“Amid all of these, your Navy and your AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) will continue performing its mandate of ensuring the integrity of our national territory,” Trinidad said.

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said it is intensifying efforts to help Filipino fishermen boost their catch in the WPS, as it “takes seriously” the reported drop in fish output in the country’s EEZ.

“We do not ignore this fact that the contribution of WPS in our overall fish production