This photo issued by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) shows Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) vessels swarming the area of Julian Felipe Reef taken December 2, 2023. Philippine Coast Guard/File MANILA — About 55 Chinese vessels were monitored in islands and features occupied by the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea on Monday afternoon, the Philippine Navy reported on Tuesday. 

Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad said two China Coast Guard ships and 24 Chinese maritime militia vessels were spotted off Bajo de Masinloc.

One CCG ship and five Chinese fishing vessels were also seen near Ayungin Shoal.

Trinidad added that one CCG ship and 19 CMMVs were monitored near Pagasa Island, two CMMVs near Panata Island, and one People’s Liberation Army Navy vessel near Lawak Island.

“Their activities have been varied. Some of them would be lying to or stationary, others would be moving, doing patrols,” Trinidad told reporters in a regular press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City. 

He said the figure was higher than the 45 Chinese vessels sighted in the West Philippine Sea on April 10.

Meanwhile, Trinidad noted that the rotation and resupply mission to eight features in the West Philippine Sea was ongoing. These include Lawak Island, Kota Island, Likas Island, Patag Island, Parola Island, Pagasa Island, Panata Island and Rizal Reef.

The RoRe mission to Ayungin Shoal is still in the planning process, he added.

“The RoRe is a regular resupply and rotation of troops subject to the requirements of the troops in terms of the need to resupply them and to bring them back, so it’s an operational requirement that will be conducted when needed,” he said.

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