Chinese vessels fewer in West PH Sea during storms, but remain afterward - PAMC

MANILA, October 1 ------ Chinese vessels remain present in parts of the West Philippine Sea, Presidential Assistant on Maritime Concerns (PAMC) Secretary Andres Centino confirmed but assured the public that Philippine forces continue to safeguard the country’s territories. "We have mga iba-ibang isla na meron tayong mga kasundaluhan, meron tayong mga residence also occupying those islands at patuloy yung paghatid natin ng supplies dun sa mga personnel doon so that they continue to perform their mandate protecting and defending and ensuring. We have continued occupation dun sa mga isla natin,” Centino said. He added that the number of Chinese ships sometimes decreases during typhoons, but they remain in the area afterward.

Centino also said that research vessels have been spotted not only in the West Philippine Sea but also near the Philippine Rise.

He added that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine Navy, and the Philippine Coast Guard continue their maritime patrols.

The PAMC also marked the celebration of Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (ManaMo) 2025 on Tuesday, held at the Yuchengco Museum in Makati. The annual observance, which began in 2017, features various activities aimed at raising public awareness of the Philippines as an archipelagic nation.

This year features 31 short film and 32 art paintings showcasing maritime awareness. "Kailangan mamulat ang ating mga kababayan sa lawak at sa laki ng ating karagatan. Ang ating karagatan is actually seven times bigger than our land area kung ico-combine natin and beneath these waters nandun ang ating mga resources," Centino said. "Kailangan nating i-value ito, kailangan malaman natin anu-ano ang nandyan at para malaman din natin bakit natin kailangan protektahan," he added.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com