Marilyn Cahatol

The presence of the China Coast Guard (CCG) persists despite the effort of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to block them and assist the four main vessels of the 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

Article (news)

Bianca Dava

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:600px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17495326778231749532675700.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The presence of the China Coast Guard (CCG) persists despite the effort of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to block them and assist the four main vessels of the 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></div><p>MANILA — A total of 41 ships of the China Coast Guard (CCG) and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy were monitored in some features in the West Philippine Sea in May, the Philippine military reported on Tuesday. </p><p>From May 1 to 31, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), through the Philippine Navy, spotted 15 CCG and 11 PLAN vessels in Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal; 6 CCG and 1 PLAN vessels in Ayungin Shoal or Second Thomas Shoal; and 4 CCG and 4 PLAN vessels in Pag-asa Island or Thitu Island.</p><p>“Additional Chinese vessels were sighted intermediately throughout various features in the Kalayaan Island Group and other Philippine maritime zones consistent with patterns of maritime swarming and grey zone activities,” AFP spokesperson Colonel Franincel Margareth Padilla told reporters in a press briefing at Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.</p><p>“These figures represent vessels monitored at various times throughout the reporting period. They were not permanently positioned but may have passed through designated monitoring areas as part of their transit,” she added.</p><p>During the same period, the AFP monitored 15,765 vessels across the archipelago. Of the number, 12,608 were foreign vessels while 3,157 were domestic vessels.</p><p>A total of 1,349 vessels did not respond to the Philippine Navy’s radio challenges.</p><p>Most of the incidents were recorded in Pag-asa Island (665 vessels), Tubbataha Reef (184 vessels) and Ayungin Shoal (125 vessels)—areas of high interest due to their proximity to other maritime zones.</p><p>“Despite the number of non-responsive vessels, no challenges resulted in interceptions or confrontations with friendly forces underlining the Navy’s effective and measured approach in conducting its operations,” Padilla noted.</p><p>“As part of continued maritime surveillance, Chinese government-affiliated vessels remain persistently present in key areas in the West Philippine Sea,” she said. </p><p>Padilla said the AFP’s sustained presence and active monitoring in the West Philippine Sea serve as a testament to the military’s operational readiness and strategic resolve in safeguarding the country’s territorial integrity and maritime domains.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2025/6/6/ph-navy-challenges-chinese-warship-in-vicinity-of-panata-island-0910">PH Navy challenges Chinese warship in vicinity of Panata Island</a></div><p>“These efforts support the Philippines’ enhanced external defense posture and affirm our steadfast commitment to a rules-based regional order in the WPS,” the official said. “We do not chase shadows. We map their direction. While others see noise, we see navigation.”</p><p>Tensions continue as China claims almost the entire South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea.</p><p>Its claims have been effectively invalidated by the 2016 arbitral award, a decision that Beijing does not recognize.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/5/28/first-concert-in-west-ph-sea-successful-despite-inclement-weather-1801">Mission accomplished: First concert in West PH Sea successful despite inclement weather</a></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Hx8ZE7mco80?si=R9Tq-7oZFCFB6IjH" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div>

<p>A total of 41 ships of the China Coast Guard (CCG) and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy were monitored in some features in the West Philippine Sea in May, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reported on Tuesday, June 10.</p>

A total of 41 ships of the China Coast Guard (CCG) and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy were monitored in some features in the West Philippine Sea in May, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reported on Tuesday, June 10.

41 Chinese coast guard, navy ships monitored in West Philippine Sea in May

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41 Chinese coast guard, navy ships monitored in West Philippine Sea in May

Bianca Dava,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 10, 2025 03:32 PM PHT

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West Philippine Sea

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