Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 10) —The number of Chinese vessels spotted this week in the vicinity of Pag-asa Island and Sabina Shoal in the West Philippine Sea has declined, but radio challenges continue, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported Friday.
The PCG said of seven radio challenges issued by Chinese vessels on Thursday, four came from Pag-asa Island while three were recorded in Ayungin Shoal.
THREAD: The Philippine Coast Guard has received seven radio challenges from the Chinese Coast Guard during the PCG’s maritime domain awareness flight yesterday over Pag-asa Island, Ayungin Shoal, and Sabina Shoal in the West PH Sea @cnnphilippines pic.twitter.com/iu0ueQAncw
— Tristan Nodalo (@TristanNodalo) March 10, 2023
The PCG conducted a maritime domain awareness flight in the West Philippine Sea on Thursday, where it has observed a significant number of foreign flagged vessels, including Chinese maritime militia (CMM) and People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy and Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessels.
From 42 vessels last week, the PCG reported that the number of suspected CMM vessels observed around Pag-asa Island decreased to 15.
READ: Chinese Coast Guard, militia vessels spotted anew near Pag-asa Island
But the PLA Navy’s Jiangdao Class warship and CCG vessel 5203 continue to loiter within Pag-asa’s 12 nautical mile territorial sea, it added.
There was also a decrease in the number of CMM vessels over Sabina Shoal to 17 from 26 vessels observed two weeks ago.
Meanwhile, the PCG said a Chinese Coast Guard vessel maintained its presence in Ayungin Shoal at roughly six nautical miles from Philippine Navy vessel BRP Sierra Madre.
READ: Chinese vessel blocks, aims laser at Philippine Coast Guard near Ayungin Shoal
The PCG said a complete report on the flight will be endorsed to the National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea for review and analysis.
PCG Commandant Admiral Artemio Abu also assured the public that the agency will remain “steadfast in advancing the national interest.”
