74 Chinese warships, CCG craft spotted in WPS in June

MANILA, July 11 ------ The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said 74 People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) and China Coast Guard (CCG) ships were spotted in four key features of the West Philippine Sea (WPS) in June.

In a statement, AFP spokesperson for the WPS Navy reservist Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad identified the four features as Bajo de Masinloc, Ayungin Shoal, Escoda Shoal, and Pag-asa Islands. He identified the 74 Chinese naval and coast guard ships as follows:

Bajo de Masinloc – 41 vessels (16 PLAN, 25 CCG), Ayungin Shoal – 16 vessels (four PLAN, 12 CCG), Escoda Shoal – eight vessels (five PLAN, three CCG), and Pag-asa Island – nine vessels (four PLAN, five CCG).

The June numbers are slightly lower than the 82 recorded last May. "These figures underscore the conduct of ICAD (illegal, coercive, aggressive and deceptive) activities that undermine the rules-based international order and violate 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.

Trinidad stressed that AFP 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, continued capability development, and the protection of national sovereignty. He said the AFP will also do its part in upholding maritime security and promoting peace, stability, and the rule of law in this part of the globe.

Trinidad said AFP monitored a total of 20,494 domestic and foreign vessels in June, highlighting the military's commitment to safeguarding the nation’s maritime domain and ensuring maritime security within the country’s exclusive economic zone. "From 01 to 30 June 2026, Philippine Navy (PN) monitoring efforts recorded 3,120 domestic vessels and 17,374 foreign ones operating within the areas of interest. Of these, 14,548 vessels responded to radio challenges, while 5,946 vessels did not," he said.

The majority of these ships are merchant ships and fishing vessels. Trinidad said the monitoring and challenging 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 PN continues to reinforce national sovereignty, sovereign rights, and contribute to the safety, security, and stability of the maritime environment," he added.

Source: pna.gov.ph