24 Chinese vessels monitored in WPS in past week —PCG

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has monitored a total of 24 Chinese vessels in key features of the West Philippine Sea from July 7 to 13, according to its latest monitoring report released on Tuesday.

The report showed 21 China Coast Guard (CCGV) vessels and three People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels operating in areas within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) recorded the highest number of monitored vessels, with 13 China Coast Guard ships.

Chinese vessels monitored from July 3-13, 2026:

• Bajo de Masinloc - 13 China Coast Guard vessels
• Ayungin Shoal –4 China Coast Guard vessels
• Escoda Shoal – 2 China Coast Guard vessels and 1 PLAN vessel
• Pag-asa Islands – 2 China Coast Guard vessels and 2 PLAN vessels

In total, the PCG recorded 24 Chinese vessels across the four monitored areas during the one-week period.

The weekly monitoring forms part of the PCG’s efforts to track the presence and movements of foreign vessels in the West Philippine Sea.

Parts of the South China Sea that fall within Philippine territory have been renamed by the government as the 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 the 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. —VAL, GMA News