Philippine Navy monitors 55 Chinese vessels in West Philippine Sea

As of Tuesday afternoon, April 16, 2024, the Philippine Navy has monitored 55 Chinese vessels across five features in the West Philippine Sea.

These vessels include Chinese Coast Guard ships, maritime militia, and fishing vessels, with specific numbers and locations detailed by Navy spokesperson Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad.

The detected vessels were observed near Bajo De Masinloc (two Chinese Coast Guard vessels, 24 Chinese maritime militia vessels), Ayungin Shoal (one Chinese Coast Guard vessel, five Chinese fishing vessels), Pagasa Island (one Chinese Coast Guard vessel, 19 Chinese maritime militia vessels), Panata Island (two Chinese maritime militia vessels), and Lawak Island (one People's Liberation Army Navy vessel).

So far, the Chinese vessels have not performed aggressive actions, with their activities varying between being stationary and conducting patrols.

Commodore Trinidad noted that China's activities in the WPS appear dependent on the absence of the US in the area.