At least 83 Chinese militia and fishing vessels were observed near Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on Wednesday, marking one of the largest swarms seen in the area, according to former US Air Force official and defense attaché Ray Powell.
“Marine Traffic confirms at least 83 China militia & fishing ships within Philippines Thitu (Pag-Asa) Island’s territorial sea right now,” Powell shared on X (formerly Twitter).
This follows Powell’s earlier report on Tuesday that up to 75 Chinese ships had been seen off the island, calling it “by far the largest China vessel swarm I’ve ever seen.”
Philippine Navy Confirms Monitoring
Philippine Navy spokesperson for WPS, Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, stated that the reported numbers are consistent with monitoring data, particularly due to Pag-asa Island’s proximity to the militarized Subi Reef, a feature occupied by China.
“Subi Reef is within the territorial sea of Pag-asa, so those numbers would be fairly accurate,” Trinidad explained in an interview.
Pag-asa Island, also known as Thitu Island, lies approximately 285 nautical miles from Palawan. It is a key territory within the Philippines’ jurisdiction but is often encroached upon by Chinese forces.
Ongoing Maritime Tensions
Chinese vessels, including maritime militia, People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) ships, and coast guard vessels, have consistently maintained a presence in the WPS. The Philippine Navy has described this as a persistent and “existential threat.”
Despite the challenges, Trinidad assured that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will continue to protect the WPS, fulfilling its mandate despite the heightened tensions.
Regional Implications
Beijing continues to claim nearly all of the South China Sea, a vital shipping route valued at over $3 trillion annually, despite overlapping claims by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei.
The Philippines has taken steps to assert its rights in the region. In June, it formally asked the United Nations to extend its continental shelf boundary beyond the standard 200 nautical miles, citing the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
As the number of Chinese vessels near Pag-asa Island grows, the Philippines remains steadfast in its efforts to safeguard its territorial waters and uphold international law.