AFP spots 41 Chinese vessels in WPS in first week of 2026

January 18 ------ The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) monitored 41 Chinese vessels in four key maritime features in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) during the first week of 2026, a figure higher than the recent weekly average of 25.

Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, AFP spokesperson for the WPS, said monitoring from January 1 to 7 showed eight Chinese vessels in Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough or Panatag Shoal), including two People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) ships, three China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels, and three maritime militia boats. In Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, the AFP recorded 14 Chinese vessels, including six CCG ships and eight maritime militia boats. In Escoda (Sabina) Shoal, there were 13 Chinese vessels composed of three PLA-Navy ships, six CCG vessels, and four maritime militia boats.

Lastly, Pagasa (Thitu) Island had six Chinese vessels, including four CCG ships and two maritime militia boats. “If you look at the comparative data that we have, there's been an increase in the PLA-Navy presence, the Chinese Coast Guard presence, all over the maritime features of the Philippines. And their actions have been more aggressive now,” Trinidad said. He said Chinese vessels are now operating closer to ships involved in multilateral maritime cooperative activities (MMCAs) with allied countries. “From being merely distant from the participants of MMCAs, they are now an active enabler,” he said.

Based on these patterns, Trinidad said the AFP expects the trend to continue this year. “For 2026, this would be the likely trend. Increased presence in our maritime features of the PLA Navy, the Coast Guard, and the maritime militia,” he said. Despite the high number of vessels, Trinidad said no coercive or aggressive actions were initially recorded. “It’s only January 12. January is barely two weeks old. So far, we have not monitored any coercive and aggressive action yet,” he noted. However, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) revealed that Chinese vessels allegedly harassed a Filipino fishing vessel in Bajo de Masinloc on Jan. 12. Fishing boat “Prince LJ” was tailed by a CCG vessel and a PLA-Navy ship, according to the PCG. “I would say this is the first harassment incident for the year 2026,” Trinidad said when informed about the PCG's report.

Source: mb.com.ph