The Philippine Navy reported on Tuesday a significant decrease in the number of foreign ships in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
The report was made a week after China reportedly swarmed the area and as tropical storm ‘Julian’ began to make its way to the northern tip of Luzon.
From September 17 to 23, the Philippine Navy recorded 251 vessels. The Navy noted a reduction to 178 Chinese ships in its log from September 24 to September 30.
“These are raw figures based on a one-week monitoring; it is too early to attribute the decrease to any particular event,” Navy spokesperson for WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad told reporters.
As of Monday evening, ‘Julian’ turned into a super typhoon and is forecast to reenter the country’s area of responsibility, according to state weather agency PAGASA..
At Escoda Shoal, also known as Sabina Shoal, where the government recently withdrew its ship, the Navy reported a decrease of 10 Chinese Coast Guard Vessels (CCGV) from six in the last monitoring period.
Additionally, the number of People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels decreased from 11 to five, and Chinese Maritime Militia Vessels (CMMV) dropped from 55 to 12.
Ayungin Shoal, also known as Second Thomas Shoal, where BRP Sierra Madre, a Navy ship, is grounded, also recorded a significant decrease in Chinese vessels. The number of CMMV decreased from 62 in the last monitoring to just 12 in the latest report.
On the other hand, Bajo de Masinloc saw an increase in CCGV sightings, rising from two in the last monitoring to five this week.
“We have to be prepared for the ‘long game’ in the West Philippine Sea and look at the strategic or bigger picture,” Trinidad added.
He also noted that both the Navy and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will contribute to ensuring the integrity of Philippine national territory.
