40 Chinese navy, coast guard ships monitored in West Philippine Sea in March

BRP Cabra Maintains vigilant monitoring of Chinese Coast Guard Monster Ship near Zambales  on January 5, 2025. PCG/File 

MANILA — Forty ships of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy and China Coast Guard (CCG) were among the thousands of vessels monitored in the West Philippine Sea in March, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said on Tuesday.

In a press briefing at Camp General Mateo Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal, AFP Public Information Office chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad said eight PLA Navy vessels and 14 CCG vessels were monitored in Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal.

Six CCG ships were spotted in Ayungin Shoal or Second Thomas Shoal.

Aside from these, seven PLA Navy vessels were spotted in Escoda Shoal or Sabina Shoal, along with five CCG ships.

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In total, 15,060 vessels were monitored in the West Philippine Sea from March 1 to 31, 2025.

Out of the total, 12,683 were foreign vessels while 2,923 were domestic vessels.

“These vessels were monitored at any given time throughout the entire period. They were not stationary, but may have transited through the area during the given timeframe,” Trinidad told reporters.

“These efforts are aligned to the country’s enhanced external defense posture and the AFP’s strategic mission in maintaining stability in the region through active defense and strategic monitoring,” he added.

China and the Philippines have repeatedly confronted each other over disputed territory in the South China Sea and as tensions rise over the Philippines' security ties with ally the United States.

There have also been several arrests in the Philippines this year of Chinese citizens accused of spying on military camps and vessels.

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— With a report from Agence France-Presse