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PH flags near-doubling of Chinese vessels in disputed waters

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A Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) monitoring report shows the positions of Philippine and Chinese vessels in the vicinity of the Kalayaan Island Group during a rotation and resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal on Sept. 24, 2026. The mission was temporarily suspended after a China Coast Guard vessel made dangerous maneuvers against M/V Lapu-Lapu that threatened a collision, according to the PCG. (Photo from PCG)
A Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) monitoring report shows the positions of Philippine and Chinese vessels in the vicinity of the Kalayaan Island Group during a rotation and resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal on Sept. 24, 2026. The mission was temporarily suspended after a China Coast Guard vessel made dangerous maneuvers against M/V Lapu-Lapu that threatened a collision, according to the PCG. —Photo from PCG

MANILA, Philippines — China’s military and coast guard presence in South China Sea waters claimed by the Philippines nearly doubled last month, Manila said Thursday.

Beijing claims most of the strategic waterway despite an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis, and confrontations between Philippine and Chinese ships have in some cases led to collisions resulting in injuries and damage.

In September, Manila monitored 101 Chinese navy and coast guard ships around Philippine-garrisoned Pag-asa (Thitu) Island and Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, as well as off Escoda (Sabina) Shoal and Chinese-controlled Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal.

That was nearly double the previous month’s total of 56 vessels, according to a military tally.

READ: Teodoro: Ayungin resupply to push through despite China interference

The Chinese buildup aims to “break our people’s resolve to keep what is ours,” Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad, the Philippine military’s South China Sea spokesperson, told Agence France-Presse (AFP).

“It’s called mission kill. It seeks to destroy your capability to continue the mission,” he added.

Alleged interference

Last weekend, Manila accused China’s military and coast guard of harassing government aircraft and boats in two areas of the South China Sea that lie within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

One incident included alleged interference by a Chinese fighter jet with a Philippine Cessna 208 turboprop that was conducting a “routine military patrol” near Panatag Shoal on Saturday.

A China Coast Guard ship, meanwhile, “shadowed and blocked” Philippine boats trying to approach a foreign fishing vessel it accused of using dynamite to catch fish, the Philippine Coast Guard said.

Beijing this week warned Manila against “provocative acts” in the disputed waters, saying the Philippine Cessna near Panatag was violating its airspace. /cb

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