A China Coast Guard (CCG) ship is spotted during a second civilian resupply mission of the Atin Ito Coalition to the Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal in the West Philippine Sea on May 15, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File

Michael Delizo

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/172594541015020240516-atin-ito-wps-MT-46.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left"><span id="isPasted" style="white-space:pre-wrap">A China Coast Guard (CCG) ship is spotted during a second civilian resupply mission of the Atin Ito Coalition to the Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal in the West Philippine Sea on May 15, 2024. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File</em></span></span></span></span></div><div><span id="isPasted" style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"><br/><br/></span><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">MANILA – The Philippine Navy on Tuesday said it recorded at least 207 Chinese ships in the West Philippine Sea – a new record high this year after a strong storm passed through the area.</span></div><div><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">In a regular media briefing at Camp Aguinaldo, Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said a few Chinese vessels withdrew during the passage of </span> <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/9/8/chinese-ships-return-to-west-philippine-sea-after-enteng-1435"></a><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/9/8/chinese-ships-return-to-west-philippine-sea-after-enteng-1435">tropical storm Enteng</a></span><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">, but they were soon replaced by other vessels.</span></div><div><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“No number is acceptable inasmuch as one ship within our EEZ is not acceptable,” Trinidad told reporters.</span></div><div><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“The numbers are within the range of the force projection capability of the South Sea Fleet, the Chinese Coast Guard, and the maritime militia. So long as these are the forces within theater and they don’t bring in other forces from the East Sea Fleet and the North Sea Fleet, then this is still within the normal range of their capability,” he added. </span></div><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/9/7/-stronger-greater-actions-needed-to-deter-china-in-west-philippine-sea-analysts-1539">‘Stronger, greater actions’ needed to deter China in West Philippine Sea – analysts</a></div><div><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Recent data showed that there were 182 maritime militia vessels, 18 China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels, 6 People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels, and 1 research and survey vessel in the area from September 3 to 9.</span></div><div><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">This was slightly higher than the 203 ships recorded from August 27 to September 2.</span></div><div><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Most of the vessels were concentrated in Escoda Shoal – the center of the recent Chinese hostilities – swarming around the lone Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/9/9/china-tails-pcg-patrol-vessel-at-bajo-de-masinloc-1305">China tails PCG patrol vessel at Bajo de Masinloc</a></span></div><div><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Trinidad said the Philippine Navy was also assessing the situation in Rozul Reef (Iroquois Reef), where there was an increased deployment of Chinese vessels – 58 maritime militia ships and 1 from PLAN.</span></div><div><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“We are still trying to assess why there is an increase in number in Iroquois or Rozul Reef. However, we could state that for Sabina or Escoda, it&#x27;s because of the extra attention that we have given to that particular shoal. For Iroquois or Rozul, we are still trying to assess,” Trinidad said.</span></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><strong>MAGBANUA STILL SEAWORTHY</strong></span></div><div><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Meanwhile, Trinidad said the BRP Teresa Magbanua remained seaworthy despite the damage it incurred during the Aug. 31 ramming by a CCG vessel.</span></div><div><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">He added the Philippine Navy and the Armed Forces of the Philippines were ready to support the PCG to maintain its presence in Escoda Shoal.</span></div><div><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“The ship is still seaworthy. Whatever damage has been incurred will not compromise the overall integrity, water integrity of the ship. Hence, it is still there performing its mission,” Trinidad said.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/9/2/philippines-expresses-complaint-and-displeasure-over-ramming-of-coast-guard-vessel-1312">Philippines expresses ‘complaint and displeasure’ over ramming of coast guard vessel</a><br/><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/8/26/china-says-took-control-measures-against-philippine-ships-near-disputed-reef-1651">China says took &#x27;control measures&#x27; against Philippine ships near disputed reef</a></span></div><div><ivs-player data-ivs-key="e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603" data-ivs-spid="3001339" data-ivs-vid="3066359"></ivs-player></div><script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/loader.js"></script>

<p>The Philippine Navy on Tuesday said it recorded at least 207 Chinese ships in the West Philippine Sea – a new record high this year after a strong storm passed through the area.</p>

The Philippine Navy on Tuesday said it recorded at least 207 Chinese ships in the West Philippine Sea – a new record high this year after a strong storm passed through the area.

207 Chinese ships spotted in West Philippine Sea in new record-high: Navy | ABS-CBN

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207 Chinese ships spotted in West Philippine Sea in new record-high: Navy

207 Chinese ships spotted in West Philippine Sea in new record-high: Navy

Michael Delizo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Sep 10, 2024 01:30 PM PHT

|

Updated Sep 10, 2024 02:16 PM PHT

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