Cheyenne Suarez

BAJO DE MASINLOC- CHINA FLOATING STRUCTURE

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/178703199082320260615-bajo-de-masinloc-china-floating-structure-BDava5.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Chinese vessels and a floating structure, which were first recorded on May 25, 2026,  are seen inside the lagoon of Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea on June 15, 2026. The presence of the structure is seen as part of China&#x27;s oceanographic and marine research studies that could be a preparatory study for building structures or transforming the reef into an artificial island, according to maritime expert Jay Batongbacal.<em>  Bianca Dava, ABS-CBN News </em></span></span></span>MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines has recorded a decline in the number of Chinese naval and maritime militia vessels monitored in the West Philippine Sea during the first half of 2026, but noted an increase in Chinese coast guard and research ships.</div><p>Retired Rear Adm.l Roy Vincent Trinidad (Reserve), AFP spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said the military monitored 78 People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA-N) warships in the first half of 2026, down from 100 during the same period last year.</p><p>Chinese maritime militia vessels also decreased to 850 from 999.</p><p>In contrast, the number of different China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels monitored increased to 77 from 68.</p><p>Trinidad said the shift could indicate a greater emphasis by China on law enforcement activities in the West Philippine Sea.</p><p>“This indicates that the functions to be performed, we could expect more law enforcement functions for this year,” Trinidad told reporters in a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Tuesday.</p><p>The AFP also observed an increase in Chinese research and survey vessels, with 44 different vessels monitored during the first six months of the year, compared to 33 in the same period in 2025.</p><p>Of the 44 research and survey vessels, 16 showed “erratic tracks,” according to Trinidad.</p><p>These vessels were monitored across the West Philippine Sea, the country’s northern maritime passage—including Bashi Channel and Balintang Channel—and areas extending toward Philippine (Benham) Rise.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/17/ph-files-27-diplomatic-protests-vs-china-in-first-half-of-2026-1552">PH files 27 diplomatic protests vs China in first half of 2026</a></div><p>“Amid all of these, the information that we get helps the AFP in deploying our ships and our aircraft, in coordination with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), in order to ensure that the integrity of the territory, our sovereignty, and our sovereign rights are secured and protected,” Trinidad said.</p><p>He said the monitoring helps the Philippine security sector project the deployment of its forces.</p><p>“We are not bothered by this. We have been expecting this. Any changes in the deployment of the adversary, the AFP is prepared to respond accordingly,” he said of the presence of Chinese ships.</p><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/UID1_OfWDG0?si=yLgBNvYcI9CVbrBC" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has recorded a decline in the number of Chinese naval and maritime militia vessels monitored in the West Philippine Sea during the first half of 2026, but noted an increase in Chinese coast guard and research ships.</p>

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has recorded a decline in the number of Chinese naval and maritime militia vessels monitored in the West Philippine Sea during the first half of 2026, but noted an increase in Chinese coast guard and research ships.

AFP sees increase in Chinese coast guard, research ships in PH waters

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AFP sees increase in Chinese coast guard, research ships in PH waters

Bianca Dava,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 18, 2026 02:14 PM PHT

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Armed Forces of the Philippines

West Philippine Sea

Chinese maritime forces

Chinese vessels

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