90 unauthorized Chinese vessels spotted in WPS in March 2026 —AFP

At least 90 unauthorized Chinese vessels were monitored in the West Philippine Sea in March, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said Tuesday. 

“Specific to the West Philippine Sea, we have documented the persistent and unauthorized presence of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA-N) and China Coast Guard (CCG) across Bajo de Masinloc, Pag-asa island, Ayungin Shoal and Escoda Shoal,” Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said in a statement. .

The most number of Chinese vessels were spotted in Bajo de Masinloc with 49 (17 Chinese Navy and 32 Chinese Coast Guard), followed by Pag-asa with 15 vessels (four Chinese Navy and 11 Chinese Coast Guard), Ayungin Shoal ranked third with 14 vessels (four Chinese Navy and 10 Chinese Coast Guard), and Escoda Shoal with 12 vessels (seven Chinese Navy and five Chinese Coast Guard). 

"These figures highlight the continued use of ICAD (illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive) actions which undermine the rules-based international order and is a blatant attempt to erode the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and sovereign rights of the Philippines," Trinidad said.

He said despite the challenges, the AFP remains steadfast and will continue to document every intrusion and maintain a disciplined, professional presence to protect the country's national patrimony.

“Our commitment to the Filipino people is unwavering: we will not back down, and we will not be deterred in ensuring that vigilant protection of our maritime domain today is a sacred duty that ensures the wealth, security, and heritage of our seas is for the benefit of all future generations of Filipinos,” he added. 

Overall, the military monitored a total of 22,755 vessels navigating within the Philippine maritime zones for the month of March 2026. 

Of this number, 19,328 were foreign-flagged while 3,428 were domestic. 

There were 14,990 vessels that complied with international protocols by responding to radio challenges, while 7,765 vessels failed to respond. 

A July 2016 Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling stated that China's expansive claims in the South China Sea dubbed as nine-dash line had "no legal basis."

The same decision also stated that the Ayungin Shoal, the Spratly Islands, Panganiban or Mischief Reef, and Recto or Reed Bank are within the Philippines’ EEZ and that China cannot prevent Filipinos from catching fish in Scarborough Shoal because it is a common fishing ground.

China, however, has never recognized the Hague court ruling to this day. —AOL, GMA News