By Priam Nepomuceno
MANILA – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday said 80 Chinese warships and coastguard vessels were spotted in four key West Philippine Sea (WPS) features last October, lower than the 101 detected last September.
Retired Navy reservist Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, AFP spokesperson for the WPS, in a message to the Philippine News Agency, said 24 vessels (13 People’s Liberation Army Navy [PLAN] and 11 China Coast Guard [CCG]) ships were spotted in Ayungin Shoal, 41 (11 PLAN, 30 CCG) in Bajo de Masinloc; 11 vessels (eight PLAN, three CCG) in Escoda Shoal; and four vessels (one PLAN, three CCG) in Pag-asa Islands.
“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,” he said.
The AFP spokesperson stressed that these illegal actions by China continue to contribute to regional tensions and highlight the importance of continued vigilance and adherence to international law.
“Despite these developments, the AFP as a whole remains steadfast in fulfilling its mandate to safeguard the nation’s maritime interests. Through sustained operational presence, enhanced maritime domain awareness, strengthened inter-agency coordination, and continued capability development, your AFP remains committed to protecting national sovereignty, upholding maritime security, and promoting peace, stability, and the rule of law in the WPS,” he said.
Trinidad also said that during the same period, the AFP through the Philippine Navy, monitored a total of 19,051 vessels, reflecting its unwavering commitment to safeguarding the nation’s maritime domain and ensuring maritime security within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
“From 01 to 31 October 2026, naval monitoring efforts recorded 3,585 local or domestic vessels and 15,466 foreign vessels operating within areas of interest. Of these, 14,054 vessels responded to radio challenges, while 4,997 vessels did not,” he said.
Trinidad said the 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,” he concluded. (PNA)
