The Philippine Navy reported the highest number of Chinese vessels sighted in Escoda Shoal, with 251 ships, including 11 from the People’s Liberation Army-Navy, monitored from September 17 to 23.
Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad emphasized that this marked the largest presence of Chinese ships in the West Philippine Sea this year, but he denied that it signified de facto control by China.
Amid concerns about the Chinese military’s aggressive maneuvers, including a helicopter trailing a Philippine aircraft, Trinidad described such actions as unprofessional and unsafe.
He reassured that the Philippine military would continue to monitor the area and carry out patrols, regardless of the departure of the Coast Guard’s BRP Teresa Magbanua.
The government is exploring various options to address the ongoing Chinese encroachment in the region, maintaining that their presence is illegal and aggressive.
Source: PhilNews24 | September 25, 2024
