101 Chinese vessels monitored in West Philippine Sea in September – AFP

MANILA, Philippines — Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) and naval vessels around four key features in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) nearly doubled in September, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Tuesday.

AFP spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad (Reserve) told the media that the number of reported Chinese vessels rose to 101 in September, from 56 the previous month.

From Sept. 1 to 30, at least 14 CCG ships and nine from the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) were monitored by the AFP at Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal.

READ: 56 Chinese vessels monitored in West PH Sea in August

Meanwhile, 25 CCG ships and 14 PLAN warships were spotted at Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal. At least seven CCG and four PLAN vessels were also seen at Escoda (Sabina) Shoal.

At Ayungin Shoal, the AFP recorded at least 14 CCG ships and nine PLAN warships. At least 23 CCG vessels and five PLAN warships were also reported in Pag-asa (Thitu) Island.

When asked about the possible reason for the doubled presence of Chinese vessels, Trinidad said they would provide an assessment by the end of the year.

“I would not like to give an assessment yet, probably by the end of the year, wherein we could look at a longer period of time, a six-month time frame,” he said. /mcm

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