MANILA, September 25 ------ The number of Chinese vessels monitored by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in the West Philippine Sea reached 251 from September 17 to 23, 2024, which is considered a record high for this year. From September 10 to 16, 2024, the AFP only recorded 157 Chinese ships in the West Philippine Sea. This figure includes vessels from the China Coast Guard, China People's Liberation Army Navy, Chinese Maritime Militia, and Chinese Research and Survey Vessels.
According to Philippine Navy Spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, the number of Chinese ships in the West Philippine Sea suddenly increased after the bad weather caused by recent tropical cyclones subsided. “This time ito ang pinakamalaking increase from 157 it went up to 251. Whatever reason I don’t want to speculate on that, we continue monitoring, we continue performing our mandate,” Trinidad stated during a press conference at Camp Aguinaldo. However, what is more noticeable is the sudden surge in the number of Chinese ships at Sabina Shoal after the departure of BRP Teresa Magbanua of the Philippine Coast Guard, which had been stationed there for five months.
From September 10 to 16, 2024, there were only 9 CCG vessels, 4 PLAN vessels, and 52 CMMVs, but from September 17 to 23, this number increased to 16 CCG, 11 PLAN, and 55 CMMVs. At Ayungin Shoal during the same period, the number of CMMVs rose from only seven to 62. Meanwhile, at Iroquois Reef, the count increased from 17 CMMVs to 38. “This is the first time we have monitored that number at Sabina Shoal. We will not be deterred; we will keep performing our mandates and continue monitoring our shoals, reefs, and shallow areas,” Trinidad added.
But according to Trinidad, although the number of Chinese ships has increased, they still remain within the range of the AFP's force projection capability. “If we noticed, the total number of maritime militia vessels in the entire South China Sea could be approximately 350 to 400, but these are dispersed all over the South China Sea, including the Vietnamese and Malaysian sides, etc. So, if they were to bring these to one particular country, then it is again within the force projection capability,” Trinidad said. He added that Filipinos are still free to access Ayungin Shoal and Sabina Shoal despite the continued increase in Chinese ships in the West Philippine Sea. “The mere fact that the AFP, the Navy, the Air Force, and the Army can continue performing our mandate, sailing the seas, and flying in the skies—not only the AFP but also other government agencies—indicates that nobody has control over that vast expanse of water in the South China Sea,” Trinidad said.
Source: news.abs-cbn.com
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