On 14 August the Philippine News Agency reported that the Philippine Navy (PN) has noted an increased presence of Chinese naval and coast guard ships in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
The PN said nine People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA-N) warships and 13 China Coast Guard vessels (CCGVs) were spotted from 6-12 August. This is higher than the six PLA-N warships and 12 CCGVs seen from 30 July 30 to 5 August. In the same period, two China Research and Survey Vessels (CRSVs) were also spotted, compared to only one seen in the previous week.
Meanwhile, the number of China Maritime Militia Vessels (CMMVs) sighted for this period was 68, significantly lower than the 106 spotted last time. Of the 13 CCGVs spotted in the WPS, three were seen in Bajo de Masinloc, five in Ayungin Shoal, two in Pagasa Island, and three in Sabina Shoal. Of the nine PLA-N ships, one was spotted in Ayungin Shoal, two in Pagasa Island, one in Likas Island, one in Patag Island, three in Sabina Shoal, and one in Iroquois Reef. Of the 68 CMMVs, six were seen in Bajo de Masinloc, four in Ayungin Shoal, 37 in Pagasa Island, two in Lawak Island, six in Panata Island, and 13 in Sabina Shoal. Meanwhile, the two CRSVs were spotted in Ayungin Shoal and Patag Island.
Separately, on 8 August two Chinese land-based multi-role fighters of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) harassed a Philippine Air Force (PAF) NC-212 ircraft conducting a routine maritime patrol over the Bajo de Masinloc.
In commenting on the incident, the PN’s Inspector General, Rear Admiral Roy Trinidad said in a press briefing that “These are part of the challenges your airmen, your pilots face in the increasing complexity of the international arena, whether on sea or air, the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) will not be deterred from performing its mandate.” Rear Admiral Trinidad said the PAF aircraft did not do anything extraordinary to warrant such an aggressive action. “All of our actions historically have been in pursuit of the mandate of the AFP and of our national interest,” he added. The Philippine Government, through its Department of Foreign Affairs, has formally lodged a diplomatic protest against Beijing over the incident.
Source: Philippine News Agency
