West Philippine Sea: Largest presence of Chinese ships logged – Navy

24 Sep 2024, 10:20 by John Eric Mendoza · INQUIRER.NET

This handout photo taken on December 2, 2023 and released on December 3 by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) shows an aerial view of Chinese vessels gathered by Whitsun Reef, around 320 kilometers (200 miles) west of Palawan Island. FILE PHOTO/Agence France-Presse

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Navy on Tuesday reported the largest ever presence of Chinese ships in the West Philippine Sea due to the surge of militia vessels around the grounded navy outpost BRP Sierra Madre.

A total of 251 China Coast Guard (CCG) ships, People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) warships and Chinese maritime militia (CMM) vessels were logged from Sept. 17 to 23, according to the Navy’s latest tally.

The breakdown of the Chinese assets monitored in the latest period are as follows: 16 PLA-N warships, 28 CCG ships, and 204 CMM vessels.

READ: 207 Chinese ships swarm WPS; highest so far this year – AFP

This surpasses the previous record of 207 CCG ships, PLA-N warships, and CMM vessels recorded from Sept. 3 to 9.

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The surge of Chinese assets in the West Philippine Sea was propelled by the increase of CMM vessels in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, where the naval outpost BRP Sierra Madre, a main flashpoint of tensions between Manila and Beijing, has been aground since 1999.

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Latest navy data stated that 62 CMM vessels were seen around Ayungin Shoal, which is much bigger than eight vessels recorded there from the previous monitoring period of Sept 10 to Sept. 16, when only 157 Chinese ships, warships, and militia vessels were logged.

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The surge of Chinese ships comes after the return of militia vessels in the area due to inclement weather, among other reasons, according to Trinidad.

READ: West PH Sea: Record 11 China warships spotted in Escoda after BRP Magbanua exit

“There are other factors, not only the weather; but we have seen that in the past, during a weather disturbance, the numbers go down, but after the disturbance has passed, it increases,” Trinidad said.

There is also a surge of PLA-N assets in Escoda (Sabina) Shoal where 11 warships were seen only a week following the pullout of BRP Teresa Magbanua on Sept. 15 after a five-month deployment.

Escoda Shoal serves as the rendezvous point for Filipino vessels conducting resupply missions in the BRP Sierra Madre.

While recognizing the sudden jump of Chinese ships, Trinidad said it is still within the force projection capability of China’s central military commission.

Previously, Trinidad noted that the expected range for PLA-N’s South Sea Fleet is at 80 to 90 warships and submarines, CCG ships from 25 to 35, while CMM vessels are at the range of 250-300.

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Beijing’s presence is based on its assertion of sovereignty in almost the entire South China Sea—including most of the West Philippine Sea—even if such a claim has been effectively invalidated by the arbitral award issued in July 2016.

The landmark ruling stemmed from a case filed by Manila in 2013 or a year after its standoff with Beijing at Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal.

For comprehensive coverage, in-depth analysis, visit our special page for West Philippine Sea updates. Stay informed with articles, videos, and expert opinions.