Jamaine Punzalan

A China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel near 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/178824060828920240515-atin-ito-wps-MT-41.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">A China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel near the Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal in the West Philippine Sea May 16, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News </span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines said Tuesday it monitored 56 China Coast Guard (CCG) and People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA-N) vessels in key areas in the West Philippine Sea in August.</p><p>The highest number was recorded at Bajo de Masinloc with 23 Chinese vessels, including 14 CCG and 9 PLA-N ships.</p><p>This was followed by Ayungin Shoal with 18 vessels, composed of 17 CCG ships and one PLA-N warship.</p><p>At Escoda Shoal, the AFP monitored nine Chinese vessels, including five CCG ships and four PLA-N warships.</p><p>Another six were monitored around Pag-asa Island, including one PLA-N and five CCG vessels.</p><p>“The focus of the monthly monitoring is to give everybody a picture of the continued illegal presence of the CCG and the PLA-Navy. For the entire month of August, we monitored 56 different ships of the CCG and PLA-N,” Retired Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad (Reserve), AFP spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said in a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. </p><p>Beyond the West Philippine Sea, the AFP monitored a total of 18,534 vessels operating within “areas of interest” from August 1 to 31.</p><p>These included 2,545 domestic vessels and 15,989 foreign vessels.</p><p>Of the total, 12,502 vessels responded to radio challenges, while 6,032 vessels did not.</p><p>According to the military, the monitoring and challenging procedures are a vital component of its maritime domain awareness efforts allowing the AFP to detect, identify and assess vessels operating within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).</p><div><strong>RELATED STORIES:</strong></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/9/1/marcos-tells-newly-promoted-pcg-officers-lead-by-example-uphold-highest-standards-of-integrity-1114">Marcos tells newly promoted PCG officers: Lead by example, uphold highest standards of integrity </a><br/><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/30/china-laying-groundwork-for-scarborough-shoal-takeover-possible-batanes-claim-says-ex-us-officer-1605">China laying groundwork for Scarborough Shoal takeover, possible Batanes claim — ex-US officer </a><br/><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/11/afp-reiterates-need-for-lawful-conduct-at-sea-a-year-after-chinese-vessels-collision-1506">AFP reiterates need for professional, lawful conduct at sea, a year after Chinese vessels&#x27; collision </a></div>

<p>The Armed Forces of the Philippines said Tuesday it monitored 56 China Coast Guard (CCG) and People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA-N) vessels in key areas in the West Philippine Sea in August.</p>

The Armed Forces of the Philippines said Tuesday it monitored 56 China Coast Guard (CCG) and People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA-N) vessels in key areas in the West Philippine Sea in August.

AFP monitors 56 Chinese coast guard, naval vessels in West PH Sea in August

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AFP monitors 56 Chinese coast guard, naval vessels in West PH Sea in August

Bianca Dava,

ABS-CBN News

Published September 01, 2026 01:32 PM PHT

Read More:

West Philippine Sea

exclusive economic zone

Chinese vessels

Armed Forces of the Philippines

China Coast Guard

People’s Liberation Army Navy

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