NTF WPS spots 287 Chinese militia vessels off Kalayaan

The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF WPS) reported on Wednesday that 287 Chinese maritime militia vessels were spotted scattered across various features of Kalayaan municipality in Palawan during a May 9 maritime patrol.

Bigger groupings of these vessels were seen near artificial islands built by China, while some were observed near islands occupied by the Philippines.

Despite repeated requests from Philippine officials, including Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., for China to remove its ships from Philippine waters, the Chinese vessels remain in place.