Chinese vessels in 3 WPS features increased to 34 —PH Navy

The number of Chinese vessels in three West Philippine Sea (WPS) features has increased from 28 to 34 over the past week, according to the Philippine Navy.

In its latest monitoring update, the Philippine Navy said the 34 Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessels and People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) warships were spotted in Ayungin (Second Thomas), Escoda (Sabina) and Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough) shoals from October 7 to 13.

“Their continued illegal presence in the West Philippine Sea blatantly disregards the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal ruling and violates our sovereignty and sovereign rights. This also highlights the need to continue modernizing the defense and security capabilities of the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines),” the Philippine Navy said.

“We in the AFP remain committed to upholding international law and defending the integrity of our national territory,” it added.

Unlike in previous updates, the Philippine Navy did not include other WPS features in its latest update. These features include Bajo de Masinloc, Ayungin Shoal, Pag-asa Islands, Parola Island, Kota Island, Likas Island, Lawak Island, Panata Island, Patag Island, Rizal Reef, Escoda Shoal, Julian Felipe Reef, and Iroquois Reef.

GMA News Online has reached out to Philippine Navy spokesperson for the WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad regarding the changes in their reporting of monitored Chinese vessels in the WPS, but he has yet to respond as of posting time.

Last week, 190 Chinese vessels were monitored in the 13 WPS features.

Tensions continue in WPS as Beijing continues to claim almost all of South China Sea (SCS), a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual shipborne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei.

In 2016, an international arbitration tribunal in The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the SCS. 

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