The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday said a total of 82 Chinese vessels were monitored in some West Philippine Sea (WPS) features in May.
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In April, a total of 62 Chinese vessels were spotted in these areas.
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For its weekly monitoring, the AFP monitored 44 Chinese vessels from May 26 to June 1, which is also higher than the 36 reported in the previous week.
“These figures underscore the continued conduct of [illegal, coercive, aggressive and deceptive] activities that undermine the rules-based international order and challenge the Philippines’ sovereign rights and jurisdiction within its maritime domain,” [WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vincent] Trinidad said.
“Such actions contribute to regional tensions and highlight the importance of continued vigilance and adherence to international law,” he added.
Trinidad said the AFP remains committed to protecting national sovereignty, upholding maritime security and promoting peace, stability, and the rule of law in the West Philippine Sea.
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The West Philippine Sea refers to the maritime areas on the western side of the Philippine archipelago including Luzon Sea and the waters around, within and adjacent to the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc.
In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China’s claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had “no legal basis.”
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