More Chinese vessels spotted over WPS in June — PH Navy

The Philippine Navy said Tuesday that the number of Chinese vessels monitored over some features in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) has increased in June.

At a press briefing, Philippine Navy spokesperson for WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said a total of 49 Chinese vessels were seen in Bajo de Masinloc, Ayungin Shoal, and Pagasa Island.

Trinidad said nine CCG vessels and 14 PLAN vessels were seen in Bajo de Masinloc; 12 CCG vessels and two PLAN vessels in Ayungin Shoal; and nine CCG vessels and three PLAN Navy vessels in Pagasa Island.

“These 49 ships were not there all the time but they were in and out of the different features,” Trinidad said.

According to him, the June record was the highest reported number of Chinese vessels in the WPS compared to the 11 in January, nine in February, 35 in March, 31 in April, and 41 in May.

“We have to look at it from the perspective of, probably, the weather or the deployment cycle,” Trinidad said when asked why the number of Chinese vessels in the WPS increased.

“Right now, we have no direct reference on the tactical implications of bakit tumaas to 49 from last month's number of 41…Probably, it will be a factor of the weather or the deployment cycle, maintenance and repair,” he added.

Trinidad said the Philippine Navy remains on top of the situation, demonstrating continued heightened vigilance and sustained presence in the country's maritime domain.

“With strengthened maritime domain awareness and inter-agency coordination, your AFP assures the public of its continued commitment to asserting the nation’s rights and maintaining peace and stability in the region,” he said.

Tensions continue as Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual shipborne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei.

Parts of the South China Sea that fall within Philippine territory have been renamed by the government as West Philippine Sea to reinforce the country’s claim.

The West Philippine Sea refers to the maritime areas on the western side of the Philippine archipelago including Luzon Sea and the waters around, within and adjacent to the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had "no legal basis."

China has refused to recognize the decision. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News