Philippine Navy spots 23 Chinese ships in WPS

The Philippine Navy reported sighting 23 Chinese naval and coast guard ships in various features of the West Philippine Sea between July 21 and July 27.

These included seven China Coast Guard (CCG) ships and seven People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) ships in Bajo de Masinloc, though they temporarily withdrew from the area during recent inclement weather to secure themselves.

Additional Chinese vessels were observed near Ayungin Shoal, Sabina Shoal, and Pag-asa Island.

Philippine Navy spokesperson Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad confirmed the total number of 23 Chinese vessels remain in Philippine territorial waters.

This incident occurs amidst the ongoing territorial dispute between the Philippines and China over the South China Sea, parts of which the Philippines calls the West Philippine Sea.

The Philippines secured a favorable ruling in a 2016 international arbitration case against China's expansive claims, a decision that China continues to disregard.