The BRP Sierra Madre, a Navy warship that now serves as military outpost, keeps watch over Ayungin (Second Thomas), located within the country’s exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea. Nearby are Chinese coast guard and militia vessels in this shot taken on February 21, 2023, during an aerial surveillance by the Philippine Coast Guard. (Philippine Daily Inquirer/Niño Jesus Orbeta)
MANILA, Philippines — There is a surge of Chinese maritime militia (CMM) ships in the vicinity of Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, according to Philippine Navy data shared to reporters on Tuesday.
The navy said a total of 41 CMM vessels were spotted in. the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal from Aug. 13 to 19.
Previously, there were only six CMM vessels spotted from August 6 to 12.
Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, declined to speculate on the surge of vessels in the shoal’s vicinity.
“I don’t want to speculate about their presence in Ayungin Shoal,” Trinidad said in a regular press conference when asked about the reason behind the surge of vessels in Ayungin.
A naval outpost has been grounded in Ayungin Shoal since 1999.
The resupply activity to the BRP Sierra Madre has become one of the flashpoints of tensions between Manila and Beijing, the most violent of which occurred last June 17, which led to what the military deem as “looting” of seven firearms, destruction of two navy boats, and resulting in one navy personnel losing his finger.
Beijing’s actions are based on its assertion of sovereignty in almost the entire South China Sea, including most of the West Philippine Sea, as it continues to reject a July 2016 Arbitral Award which effectively dismissed its claims while ruling in favor of Manila.
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