More Chinese ships spotted in WPS, PH Navy official says

PN spokesperson for WPS Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad (PNA file photo by Priam F. Nepomuceno)

MANILA – About 55 Chinese vessels of various types were sighted in five features of the West Philippine Sea (WPS), a ranking Philippine Navy (PN) official said Tuesday.

PN spokesperson for WPS Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad, in a press briefing in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, said two China Coast Guard (CCG) craft and 24 Chinese maritime militia vessels (CMMVs) off Bajo De Masinloc (also known as Scarborough Shoal).

Meanwhile, one CCG ship and five Chinese fishing vessels (CFVs) were detected near Ayungin Shoal; one CCG and 19 CMMVs near Pagasa Island; two CMMV near Panata Island; and one Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy ship off Lawak Island.

Trinidad said the figure was logged as of Monday afternoon, higher than the 45 Chinese ships sighted in the WPS on April 10.

“Their activities have been varied,” he said, noting that some were stationary, while others were moving or doing patrols.

He said these sightings were based on their monitoring