49 Chinese ships in West Philippine Sea in June

Forty-nine Chinese warships and coast guard vessels were monitored in three West Philippine Sea features in June, marking the highest monthly count this year.

Nine China Coast Guard (CCG) and 14 People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) ships were present at Bajo de Masinloc, while Ayungin Shoal saw 12 CCG and two PLAN vessels, and Pag-asa Island had nine CCG and three PLAN ships.

Despite the increased activity in June, Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad of the Philippine Navy believes it could be due to weather conditions or deployment cycles rather than a sustained escalation.

The Navy assured continued vigilance to safeguard national interests and ensure water security, noting that Chinese behavior fluctuates over time with varying levels of aggression.

Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro called for deeper cooperation among allies to counter regional threats, emphasizing the need for collective action to deter unilateral attempts to reshape the world order.