Facade of the Philippine Navy headquarters at Naval Station Jose Andrada in Manila (File photo)
MANILA – More Chinese warships were spotted in features of the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the Philippine Navy (PN) said Tuesday.
In its update, the PN said the number of Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels seen in these areas climbed to 18 from Aug. 20 to 26, from only 13 vessels during the Aug. 13 to 19 monitoring period.
In the same report, the Navy disclosed that 16 China Coast Guard Vessels (CCGVs) were also sighted, a slight decrease from the previous week's 18 vessels.
Also sighted were 127 Chinese Maritime Militia Vessels (CMMVs), higher than the 98 spotted last time.
Meanwhile, two Chinese Research and Survey Vessels (CRSVs) were spotted during this period compared to none last week.
Six Chinese warships were sighted in Sabina Shoal (also known as Escoda Shoal); three in Bajo de Masinloc; two in Pagasa Island; two in Lawak Island, and one each in Ayungin Shoal, Parola Island, Kota Island, Panata Island, and Patag Island.
Of the 16 CCGVs spotted in the WPS, seven were seen in Sabina Shoal; five in Bajo de Masinloc; three in Ayungin Shoal; and one in Pagasa Island.
Of the 127 CMMVs, 40 were spotted in Sabina Shoal; 32 in Pagasa Island; 19 in Ayungin Shoal; 17 in Iroquois Reef; nine in Bajo de Masinloc; seven in Kota Island; two in Panata Island; and one in Lawak Island.
One CRSV was spotted in Bajo de Masinloc while another was seen in Likas Island.
No yielding in Ayungin Shoal
Meanwhile, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said Manila would continue to maintain its presence in Ayungin Shoal, where the BRP Sierra Madre (LS-57) is stationed and manned by Filipino soldiers despite China's increasing aggression.
He said the country is adopting a three-pronged strategy in dealing with the South China Sea issue.
"First, is that we have to establish our effective and sustainable presence in the WPS. A lot of people have been asking on why we have to insist on being in the Second Thomas Shoal (Ayungin Shoal) with the BRP Sierra Madre and our answer is because we have to assert our sovereignty and our sovereign rights," he said during the 35th International Military Law and Operations Conference (MILOPS 24) held at the Manila Hotel on Tuesday.
Brawner said the military, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources are working together to sustain Manila's presence in Ayungin Shoal.
He said the continued activities of fisherfolk in the area also contribute to this effort.
"Second is while we are doing these, we are modernizing the AFP, trying to develop that capability in order for us to reach that deterrence (capability) that we want to achieve and third is to develop stronger relations, ties with our allies and partners," he added.
On Monday, CCG vessels blocked two PCG vessels, the BRP Cabra and the BRP Cape Engaño, which had to cancel their rotation and resupply mission to the BRP Teresa Magbanua in Escoda Shoal in the WPS. (PNA)
