Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 22) — Chinese vessels, including suspected maritime militia, are still swarming the West Philippine Sea despite fresh protests lodged by the Philippine government, authorities reported Wednesday.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), citing a recent aerial inspection, said a number of Chinese Coast Guard vessels and militia ships have maintained their presence in the Ayungin and Sabina Shoals — which are both part of Manila’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Authorities, in particular, spotted at least 26 of Beijing’s vessels anchored in the vicinity of Sabina Shoal, while at least four suspected militia ships were observed around Ayungin.
A Chinese Coast Guard vessel also maintained a “constant close distance” from the Philippines’ grounded warship BRP Sierra Madre, according to the PCG.
LOOK: The Philippine Coast Guard confirms that Chinese Coast Guard maintains its presence in Ayungin and Sabina Shoals, both under the PH Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), despite diplomatic protests filed by the DFA https://t.co/Ni4v3zQWgA | @TristanNodalo pic.twitter.com/bvGOjvTv8K
— CNN Philippines (@cnnphilippines) February 22, 2023
The PCG also said its personnel received radio challenges from the Chinese vessels during their routine maritime flight.
The Philippine aircraft responded with its own challenge.
“Suspected [militia] vessels were directed to immediately depart the Philippine EEZ and were warned that they were not authorized to loiter or swarm these shoals,” the PCG said in a statement.
The development comes following the Philippines’ latest protest against Beijing’s incursions in the contested waterway — particularly the laser-pointing incident involving the countries’ coast guards.
The East Asian giant has denied the claims and maintained that the ship had no intention to hurt the Philippine crew.
Despite these, the PCG said the country will continue to carry out maritime patrols in the area.
