Chinese Coast Guard vessel spotted near Ayungin Shoal —AMTI

A Chinese Coast Guard vessel was seen within four to five nautical miles off Ayungin Shoal, tracking data from the Asia Maritime Transparency Institute (AMTI) revealed.

According to a report by Chino Gaston for “24 Oras,” Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana also confirmed the presence of the Chinese vessel during a Senate hearing on Monday.

Data from the AMTI showed the vessel repeatedly circling the Philippines’ BRP Sierra Madre, which is marooned at Ayungin Shoal.

Lorenzana said there were multiple but unsuccessful attempts by the Chinese vessels to block the resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre.

"There is one Chinese coast guard [vessel] about to four to five nautical miles away from the unit. That’s what we’ve seen in the past couple of days,” he said.

"Hindi kasi regular ‘yung numbers, so minsan may nagpapakitang isa o dalawa. A lot of them are actually just fishing boats so I can’t give you the exact details kung ilan talaga ‘yung pumapasok sa area,” Armed Forces chief of staff General Noel Clement said.

Philippine Marines are actively monitoring the ship.

The AMTI also said that the patrol pattern of the Chinese Coast Guard runs from the Paracel Islands to the Ayungin Shoal, Pagasa Island, and Scarborough Shoal.

The Chinese vessels are no longer switching off their Automatic Identification System to hide their presence in the area, which an analyst said was a sign of their confidence.

“Dati, discreet pa 'yung China sa pagsasagawa niyan dahil sa 'di pa tantyado ng China ang magiging aksyon ng mga iba't ibang bansa, pero sa ngayon ay meron nang better understanding ang China sa overall security landscape,” security analyst Prof. Rommel Banlaoi said.

Malacañang said that once the AMTI report is validated, they will file a diplomatic protest. —Julia Ornedo/LDF, GMA News