Chinese ships in West PH Sea increased to 55 in past week — PH Navy

The number of Chinese vessels spotted in West Philippine Sea (WPS) features has increased in the past week compared to the tally in the first week of January, the Philippine Navy said on Tuesday.

Philippine Navy spokesperson for WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said that from January 18 to 25 this year, a total of 55 Chinese vessels including warships have been monitored in the following areas:

• Bajo de Masinloc — 13 (four PLAN or People's Liberation Army Navy vessels, four CCG or China Coast Guard vessels, five Chinese maritime )
• Ayungin Shoal — five (three CCGs, two CMMVs or China Maritime Militia Vessels)
• Escoda Shoal – seven (two CCGs, five CMMVs)
• Pagasa Island — 30 (one PLAN, one CCG, 28 CMMVs)

The total figure is lower compared to the 41 Chinese vessels recorded during the first week of January.

The development comes amid criticism by the Chinese Embassy in Manila of certain Philippine officials, whom it has accused of spreading disinformation against China.

The Philippines, through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), has protested China's statements, conveying "serious concerns with the escalation of public exchanges" between the embassy and Philippine legislators and other government officials.

Malacañang has expressed support for Philippine officials who have been targeted by China for pushing back against Beijing's false assertions in the West Philippine Sea.

At least 15 Filipino senators have signed a proposed resolution denouncing the recent statements of the Chinese embassy regarding the Philippine officials.

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. — VDV, GMA Integrated News