104 Chinese vessels spotted in West PH Sea

A TOTAL of 104 assorted Chinese vessels have been monitored in Philippine-held or claimed features in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) from April 30 to May 6.

Based on data provided by Philippine Navy spokesman for the WPS, Commo. Roy Vincent Trinidad, on Tuesday, these vessels were seen in seven features in the WPS.

Spotted in Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) during the period were three China Coast Guard vessels (CCGVs), two People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) ships, 16 Chinese maritime militia vessels and two rigid-hulled inflatable floats.

Commo. Roy Vincent Trinidad. (Photo courtesy of Naval Public Affairs Office) 

Also monitored in Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal) were three CCGVs and 30 CMMVs; Pagasa Island, one CCGV, two PLAN ships and 35 CMMVs; Kota Island, one CCGV and one CMMV; Lawak, one CCGV; Panata Island, six CCMVs; and Patag Island, one CCGV.

Trinidad, meanwhile, noted that there were no sightings of Chinese ships in Parola and Likas Islands.

These figures are lower than the 129 vessels recorded in the same features from April 23 to 29, he added.