By Priam Nepomuceno
MANILA – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reported Tuesday that 101 Chinese naval and coast guard vessels were detected in four key features of the West Philippine Sea (WPS) in September.
Of the total, 23 vessels (14 China Coast Guard [CCG] and 9 People’s Liberation Army Navy [PLAN]) were spotted in Ayungin Shoal, 39 vessels (25 CCG, 14 PLAN) in Bajo de Masinloc, 11 vessels (7 CCG, 4 PLAN) in Escoda Shoal, and 28 vessels (23 CCG, 5 PLAN) in Pag-asa Islands.
The figure is nearly double the 56 vessels monitored in August, retired Navy reservist Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, AFP spokesperson for the WPS, said in a message to the Philippine News Agency.
“These figures underscore the continued conduct of ICAD (illegal, coercive, aggressive and deceptive) activities that undermine the rules-based international order and challenge the Philippines’ sovereign rights and jurisdiction within its maritime domain. Such actions contribute to regional tensions and highlight the importance of continued vigilance and adherence to international law,” Trinidad said.
He said the Philippine Navy (PN) and the AFP remain steadfast in fulfilling their mandate to safeguard the nation’s maritime interests through “sustained operational presence, enhanced maritime domain awareness, strengthened inter-agency coordination, and continued capability development.”
Trinidad said the AFP remains committed to protecting national sovereignty, upholding maritime security, and promoting peace, stability, and the rule of law in the WPS.
Ships monitored in PH EEZ
Meanwhile, Trinidad said the PN has monitored 17,843 vessels in the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in September.
“From 01 to 30 Sept. 2026, MDA (maritime domain awareness) monitoring recorded 2,987 local or domestic vessels and 14,856 foreign vessels operating within areas of interest,” Trinidad said.
Of these, 12,787 vessels responded to radio challenges, while 5,056 vessels did not.
“These monitoring and challenge procedures form a vital component of the AFP’s maritime domain awareness efforts, enabling the timely detection, identification, and assessment of vessels operating within Philippine waters. Through sustained vigilance and operational presence, the AFP continues to reinforce national sovereignty and contribute to the safety, security, and stability of the maritime environment,” the AFP spokesperson said. (PNA)
SOVEREIGN RIGHTS. A portion of the West Philippine Sea (WPS) in this undated photo. An official of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reported Tuesday (Oct. 6, 2026) that 101 Chinese naval and coast guard vessels were detected in four key features of the WPS in September, almost double the 56 monitored in August.
