The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reported a marked increase in Chinese maritime activity near Ayungin Shoal this week, citing the deployment of armed vessels, small craft, and aerial assets in the contested waters of the West Philippine Sea.
Through its Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) monitoring, the AFP confirmed that on August 20, at least five China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels were sighted in the vicinity of the shoal, supported by eleven rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIBs) and fast boats, along with nine Chinese maritime militia vessels. A rotary aircraft and an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) were also detected in the area.
The AFP noted that some of the fast boats had been “upgraded with mounted weapons, including heavy crew-served weapons,” underscoring Beijing’s increasingly assertive presence in the region.
Chinese vessels were also observed conducting maneuvers and drills involving the use of water cannons at sea, a tactic that has in the past damaged Philippine resupply missions to the shoal.
The AFP stressed that its MDA operations are part of ongoing efforts to keep track of developments in the West Philippine Sea, where Ayungin Shoal, known internationally as Second Thomas Shoal, has long been a flashpoint.
A small Philippine military contingent has been stationed aboard the grounded BRP Sierra Madre there since 1999, serving as Manila’s marker of sovereignty.
“The AFP’s MDA activities form part of its continuing monitoring and reporting on developments in the West Philippine Sea as we remain committed to safeguarding Philippine sovereignty and protecting our troops stationed in the area,” the military said in a statement.
The presence of maritime militia vessels alongside armed coast guard ships reflects what security analysts describe as China’s “gray-zone strategy,” which blurs the line between civilian and military operations at sea.
The drills inside the shoal, coupled with aerial surveillance, suggest heightened coordination among Chinese maritime forces.
Ayungin Shoal sits about 105 nautical miles off Palawan, well within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. Yet the shoal has been the site of repeated confrontations, with Chinese coast guard ships frequently blocking or harassing Philippine supply missions.
Manila has lodged diplomatic protests in recent months, warning that such actions violate international law and threaten regional stability.
While the AFP refrained from disclosing whether it plans to adjust resupply operations in response to the latest developments, the monitoring emphasizes how military and civilian maritime forces continue to navigate escalating tensions in contested waters.
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