(Manila Comprehensive News) In the past week (September 17th to 23rd), the Philippines observed 251 Chinese ships in the Western Philippines Sea, and the number reached a record high.
The Philippine Navy spokesman Trinida said at a press conference: "The increase in this time, from the original 157 ships, once decreased, and then increased to 251. No matter what the reason, I don't want to guess.We will continue to supervise the situation and execute tasks.
The Philippines named the 200 nautical miles of the South China Sea as the West Philippine Sea.
According to the Philippine Navy, 204 Chinese maritime militia ships, 28 Chinese maritime police ships, 16 Chinese People's Liberation Army warships and three scientific research ships were found in the Western Philippines Sea in the past week.
Most ships appear around the Ayunjin Reef (known as Renai Reef) and Sabina Reef (known as Xianbin Reef).Among them, there are 82 ships near the Sabina Reef, which is the most of the Philippine Navy observed the maximum Chinese vessels; there are 72 ships in the seas of Ayunjin Reef.
China and the Philippines have been friction and confrontation many times this year in Ayunjin Reef and Sabina Reef.The Philippines has a "Madele Mountain" warship for a long time in Ayunjin Reef to form actual control over the reef.The Philippines must regularly perform supply and personnel rotation tasks, and the supply ships usually gather in the nearby Sabina Reef.
The Philippine Coast Guard patrol boat "Magbanuia" was stationed in the Sabina Reef Sea for nearly five months before, and just evacuated and returned to Balawed Island on September 14.The Philippines emphasized that he did not abandon Sabina Reef and sent other ships there.
A large number of Chinese vessels now appear in the waters of Sabina Reef, and it has obviously formed actual control.Trinida responded to this: "No. We will continue to perform our sea and air patrol mission, not just in the Sabina Reef, but the entire West Philippines."
