The Philippines continues to face challenges in the West Philippine Sea, with Chinese militia vessels maintaining a persistent presence in the area. On Saturday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) observed a swarm of at least 135 Chinese ships near Julian Felipe (Whitsun) Reef. This follows similar incidents in mid-November, when over 111 Chinese vessels were spotted in the same area.
The ongoing presence of Chinese ships has raised concerns among Philippine authorities and citizens. The PCG has repeatedly challenged the Chinese vessels, but they have not received any response. In one instance, a Chinese ship used a water cannon to drive away a Philippine boat on a resupply mission.
The Philippines has filed diplomatic protests over China’s actions, but the situation remains tense. The NTF-WPS has condemned China’s “unprovoked acts” and described their behavior as “consistent” and “systematic.”
The Philippines is calling on China to respect its territorial sovereignty and refrain from provocative actions in the West Philippine Sea.