Chinese vessels in WPS decreased after PH, China sought de-escalation —PH Navy

The number of Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) has decreased after Manila and China sought de-escalation in the region, Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said.

“We are monitoring continuously the number of ships in the WPS. Based on the numbers for the past one month, we have seen a decrease. Last week, we have 94. The previous week, 95. This week, 104. So that’s only a very slight increase compared to the previous month,” he said in a press conference.

“If ever this is related to the BCM [bilateral consultation meeting] talks, it still remains to be seen,” he added.

Aside from the decreased number of Chinese vessels in the WPS, Trinidad said the Philippines has not monitored other actions by China to de-escalate the tension in the South China Sea.

On the part of the Philippines when it comes to de-escalation, Trinidad pointed out that Manila has never been escalatory in its actions and that it will only continue its activities in the WPS.

“We will continue the RoRe missions, we will continue our maritime air surveillance flights. We will continue securing our fishers and the integrity of the national territory of the WPS,” he said.

“All our actions are governed by the rules of engagement and international law. Again, we have never been escalatory in our actions. The Chinese Communist Party's actions in the WPS have always been escalatory,” he added.

On July 2, the Philippines and China in a Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM) meeting sought to de-escalate the tension in the WPS after the violent June 17 incident where a Filipino Navy officer lost his thumb.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Philippine Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong "had frank and constructive discussions" regarding the situation in the region.

"Noting recent incidents in the South China Sea, both sides recognized that there is a need to restore trust, rebuild confidence, and create conditions conducive to productive dialogue and interaction," the DFA said.

104 Chinese vessels

From July 9 to 15, meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said a total of 104 Chinese vessels were seen in the WPS.

Compared to the previous week, the number of Chinese maritime militia (CMM) vessels increased to 94 from 78.

Meanwhile, the number of China Coast Guard (CGG) vessels decreased to nine from 13 and People's Liberation Army Navy ships to one from three.

The following are the number of Chinese vessels in some WPS features from July 9 to 15:

• Bajo de Masinloc - three CCGs, six CMMs
• Ayungin Shoal - four CCGs, 1 PLAN (People's Liberation Army Navy), 12 CMMs
• Pagasa Islands - one CCG, 33 CMMs
• Kota Island - one CCG
• Lawak Island - two CMMs
• Panata Island - 14 CMMs
• Iroquois Reef - 27 CMMs

Tensions continue in the area amid China’s massive claim in the South China Sea including the portion the Philippines refers to as the West Philippine Sea.

The SCS is a conduit for more than $3 trillion in annual ship commerce. Aside from the Philippines, China has overlapping claims in the area with Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei.

In 2016, an international arbitration tribunal in The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had "no legal basis."

China however does not recognize the decision. —KG, GMA Integrated News