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

Article (news)

Michael Delizo

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177494109272520240516-atin-ito-wps-MT-46 (1).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><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 </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Philippine military said that China may be taking advantage of the international attention on the conflict in the Middle East, noting an apparent escalation in harassment activities in the West Philippine Sea, now targeting Philippine grey ships.</p><p>Recent incidents involved dangerous maneuvers by a Chinese warship and the alleged use of fire-control radar against Philippine warships conducting legitimate patrol missions in the West Philippine Sea.</p><p>While China’s actions are deemed provocative, the Philippines does not intend to fire the first shot.</p><p>“These are intentional, these are illegal, these are unprofessional. We will not be provoked into reacting in the same manner. All our actions will remain professional and within the bounds of international law,” said Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, spokesperson of the Armed Forces of the Philippines for West Philippine Sea matters.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/29/ph-resumes-talks-raises-concern-over-china-s-actions-in-west-ph-sea-1011">PH raises concern over China’s actions in West PH Sea at Fujian meeting</a></div><p>Trinidad added that the Philippines would remain committed to de-escalating tensions in the West Philippine Sea, even if it meant there would be no retaliation in any form.</p><p>“Sa ganitong laro, ‘yong AFP ang matanda, ‘yong kabilang side ang bata. Ang matanda hindi pumapatol sa bata,” he said.</p><p>(In this kind of game, the AFP is the adult, and the other side is the child. An adult does not engage with a child.)</p><div> </div><div><strong>CHINESE PRESENCE </strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Meanwhile, Trinidad also noted an increase in Chinese vessels in Philippine waters, coinciding with developments in the West Asia region.</p><p>For March 2026, the AFP documented a total of 90 Chinese vessels monitored across key features:</p><ul><li>Bajo de Masinloc: 49 vessels (17 PLA-N, 32 CCG)</li><li>Pag-asa: 15 vessels (4 PLA-N, 11 CCG)</li><li>Ayungin Shoal: 14 vessels (4 PLA-N, 10 CCG)</li><li>Escoda Shoal: 12 vessels (7 PLA-N, 5 CCG)</li></ul><div><br/></div><p>“They will take advantage of every opportunity to legitimize their illegal presence and to normalize the situation,” Trinidad said.</p><p>Manila has repeatedly flagged Beijing’s illegal incursions and dangerous maneuvers in the West Philippine Sea, as Chinese ships attempt to drive away Filipino vessels operating within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.</p><p>China has also refused to recognize a 2016 international arbitral ruling that invalidated its sweeping claims in the strategic waterway, through which trillions of dollars’ worth of seaborne goods pass annually.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/30/palace-says-no-west-philippine-sea-compromise-in-oil-exploration-talks-with-china-1408">‘Walang ipamimigay’: Palace says no West Philippine Sea compromise in potential oil exploration with China</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-4EJEVQpYXg?si=c2F1c0idtr3847Pp" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>The Philippine military said that China could be taking advantage of the international attention on the conflict in the Middle East, noting an apparent escalation in harassment activities in the West Philippine Sea, now targeting Philippine grey ships.</p>

The Philippine military said that China could be taking advantage of the international attention on the conflict in the Middle East, noting an apparent escalation in harassment activities in the West Philippine Sea, now targeting Philippine grey ships.

AFP: China exploiting Middle East conflict to intensify West PH Sea activities

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AFP: China exploiting Middle East conflict to intensify West PH Sea activities

Michael Delizo,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 31, 2026 03:19 PM PHT

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AFP

China

Philippines

Middle East

West Asia

South China Sea

West Philippine Sea

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