The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) tracked a total of 41 Chinese vessels operating in contested areas of the West Philippine Sea throughout May, a figure that defense officials say reflects Beijing’s sustained and assertive maritime presence in Philippine-claimed waters.
The sightings, recorded between May 1 and May 30, were concentrated around three strategic locations—Scarborough Shoal (Bajo de Masinloc), Ayungin Shoal, and Pag-asa Island—according to AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Padilla.
“This consistent monitoring effort shows a persistent presence of Chinese government-affiliated vessels in key areas of the West Philippine Sea,” Col. Padilla said in a press briefing on Tuesday.
Scarborough Shoal registered the heaviest concentration, with 15 China Coast Guard vessels and 11 People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy ships—totaling 26 vessels—detected over the course of the month. At Ayungin Shoal, also known as Second Thomas Shoal, six coast guard ships and one navy vessel were sighted. Around Pag-asa Island, the AFP reported four PLA Navy ships and four additional China Coast Guard vessels.
Though China claims nearly the entire South China Sea under its so-called nine-dash line, a 2016 arbitral ruling under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) invalidated those sweeping claims, recognizing parts of the disputed waters as falling within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
Despite that ruling, Chinese vessels—both military and paramilitary—have maintained a near-daily presence in contested waters, particularly in areas where the Philippines maintains outposts or civilian settlements.
The Philippine government has yet to release a formal diplomatic protest related to the May incursions, though officials have consistently denounced what they call “illegal and destabilizing activities” in the region.
Military officials said surveillance missions and maritime patrols will continue, and that the AFP remains prepared to respond to any escalation that could endanger Philippine sovereignty or regional stability.
“This is not a one-time occurrence,” Col. Padilla noted. “It’s a clear indication of China’s long-term strategy to assert presence and control over areas that are well within our exclusive economic zone.”
