PH Navy: 71 of 203 Chinese ships in WPS seen in Sabina Shoal

‘MONSTER’ SHIP. The China Coast Guard 5901 was spotted by personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) near Lawak Island in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on Monday (June 24, 2024). PCG Commodore Jay Tarriela said the vessel was spotted to have entered the exclusive economic zones of Malaysia and Brunei, aside from the Philippines, during its incursion in the WPS last week. (Photo courtesy of PCG via PNA)

By Priam Nepomuceno, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – A total of 203 Chinese ships were spotted in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) from Aug. 27 to Sept. 2, the Philippine Navy (PN) said Tuesday.

This is significantly higher than the 163 vessels observed from Aug. 20 to 26, the PN said.

Of the figure, 71 were spotted in the Sabina (Escoda) Shoal, composed of 53 Chinese Maritime Militia Vessels (CMMVs), nine China Coast Guard Vessels (CCGVs), and nine People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) warships.

Standing guard against this big Chinese fleet in the Sabina Shoal is the Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) largest ship BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701).

On Aug. 31, a CCG vessel repeatedly rammed into the BRP Teresa Magbanua.

The PCG ship, which has been in Sabina Shoal since April, sustained damage to its hull but no one among its crew was injured in the incident.

Meanwhile, 52 Chinese ships were spotted near Pagasa Island – 50 CMMV, one CCGV, and one PLAN vessel.

About 36 CMMVs were spotted around Iroquois Reef while 26 assorted Chinese vessels were seen in Ayungin Shoal – 17 CMMVs, eight CCGVs, and one PLAN warship.

In Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal), 16 Chinese vessels were seen – eight CMMVs, six CCGVs, one PLAN vessel, and a Chinese Research Survey Vessel (CRSV).

Another CMMV was sighted in Kota Island while one CRSV was spotted near the Rizal Reef.