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 May 16, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Bianca Dava

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/177857268289020240515-atin-ito-wps-MT-41.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="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 May 16, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News /file"/><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 May 16, 2024. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News /file</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has monitored a total of 35 Chinese vessels in various features in the West Philippine Sea from May 4 to 11, including China Coast Guard (CCG) and People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA-N) ships.</p><p>AFP spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad (Reserve) said the monitored vessels were spotted in Ayungin Shoal, Bajo de Masinloc, Escoda Shoal, and Pag-asa Island.</p><p>Six CCG and one PLA-N ship were monitored in Ayungin Shoal during the period.</p><p>In Bajo de Masinloc, the AFP recorded the presence of nine CCG and eight PLA-N vessels.</p><p>Escoda Shoal had two CCG and three PLA-N ships, while Pag-asa Island logged three CCG and three PLA-N vessels.</p><p>“Their illegal presence in our exclusive economic zone (EEZ) has been noted. They have been there. This is the reason why we have shifted to CADC [Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept],” Trinidad told reporters in a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Tuesday.</p><p>The official said the AFP will continue conducting maritime and aerial patrols in line with its mandate to protect the country’s sovereignty and sovereign rights.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/1/chinese-coast-guard-vessel-shadows-ph-civilian-mission-ship-in-west-philippine-sea-1014">Chinese coast guard vessel shadows Filipino civilian mission ship in West Philippine Sea</a></div><div> </div><div><strong>ASEAN MARITIME CENTER</strong></div><p>The AFP also welcomed the proposal to establish an ASEAN [Association of Southeast Asian Nations] Maritime Center, saying it would strengthen coordination among regional counterparts.</p><p>According to Trinidad, the proposed center—earlier mentioned by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu—could help integrate efforts among Southeast Asian nations on both traditional and non-traditional security concerns.</p><p>“This will be a good starting point to integrate the efforts of ASEAN, not only for defense and security, but more importantly, for non-traditional crimes, border issues, law enforcement, and information sharing,” the official said.</p><p>Asked about the president’s statement expressing hope that the South China Sea Code of Conduct (SCS COC) would be finalized before the end of the year, Trinidad deferred to the Department of National Defense (DND).</p><p>“That is a policy announcement and I would like to defer to the DND for any reaction to matters on the COC, or maybe even the DFA [Department of Foreign Affairs],” he said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/7/philippines-warns-china-research-ship-in-disputed-waters-1654">Philippines warns China research ship in disputed waters</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/pj1OFs-nArA?si=XOy5EoJTG-4zRuNO" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has monitored a total of 35 Chinese vessels in various features in the West Philippine Sea from May 4 to 11, including China Coast Guard (CCG) and People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA-N) ships.</p>

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has monitored a total of 35 Chinese vessels in various features in the West Philippine Sea from May 4 to 11, including China Coast Guard (CCG) and People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA-N) ships.

AFP tracks 35 Chinese coast guard, naval vessels in West PH Sea

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AFP tracks 35 Chinese coast guard, naval vessels in West PH Sea

Bianca Dava,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 12, 2026 04:06 PM PHT

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Armed Forces of the Philippines

Philippine Navy

West Philippine Sea

Chinese vessels

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