Ched Rick Gatchalian

Article (news)

Wider Chinese vessel deployment, increased Philippine patrol operations in WPS in 2025 – PCG

Bianca Dava

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Monday reported significant changes in the security situation in the West Philippine Sea in 2025 compared with 2024, citing wider and more aggressive deployment of Chinese vessels, and a corresponding increase in Philippine patrol operations.</p><p>The PCG’s monitoring from January to December showed a sustained presence of China Coast Guard (CCG) and Chinese maritime militia (CMM) vessels in the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) and Bajo de Masinloc.</p><p>According to the PCG, the highest number of CMM monitored in the KIG reached 818 vessels in November, while the lowest number was consistently recorded in January.</p><p>Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, attributed the January drop to the Chinese New Year, when Chinese maritime forces are usually recalled to mainland China.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/16/china-s-embassy-in-ph-accuses-tarriela-of-attacking-smearing-chinese-leaders-1408">&#x27;Blatant political provocation&#x27;: China protests PCG spox Tarriela&#x27;s post with Xi image</a></div><p>“If you’re going to ask me why, it’s because we were able to anticipate that when January comes, the number of deployments of Chinese maritime forces will be low because of the Chinese New Year. This is a long holiday for them. That’s why most of the CMM and CCG vessels are recalled to mainland China. That’s why for the past four years that we have been monitoring, January has always been the [month with the] lowest number of Chinese vessels,” Tarriela told reporters in an interview.</p><p>In Bajo de Masinloc, the PCG recorded the highest number of CMM vessels in April, while the peak deployment of CCG vessels was monitored in October.</p><p>“The instances where there [are] increases in the number of CCG vessels also coincide [with] those instances where there [are] harassment incidents that we reported every month,” Tarriela explained.</p><div> </div><div><strong>WIDER CHINA COAST GUARD DEPLOYMENT</strong></div><p>One of the most significant changes observed in 2025 was the expanded deployment of CCG vessels.</p><p>While CCG ships in previous years were largely concentrated around Bajo de Masinloc, PCG data showed that in 2025, these vessels were also deployed off western Pangasinan, Zambales, and Bataan.</p><p>The nearest recorded CCG presence was documented just 26 nautical miles from Mindoro, involving CCG vessels 3104 and 3302.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/2/tarriela-slams-disingenuous-unclos-claims-by-chinese-envoy-1639">Tarriela slams &#x27;disingenuous&#x27; UNCLOS claims by Chinese envoy</a></div><p>“Last year, we saw a very wide and dispersed deployment of the CCG vessels,” Tarriela said.</p><div> </div><div><strong>SHIFT IN FILIPINO FISHING PATTERNS</strong></div><p>Tarriela also presented a comparison of fishing activities in Bajo de Masinloc between 2024 and 2025, revealing a notable change in the behavior of Filipino fishermen.</p><p>In 2024, fishing boats were clustered in traditional fishing grounds, operating as close as four to five nautical miles from the shoal.</p><p>However, in 2025, Filipino fishing boats were more widely scattered.</p><p>Tarriela attributed this to CCG vessels driving fishermen farther away from Bajo de Masinloc, forcing them to scatter across a wider area.</p><p>“Our explanation for this is because the CCG vessels do not also hesitate to go farther away from Bajo de Masinloc in driving them away. They are focusing on moving them farther away from Bajo de Masinloc, that’s why the CCG vessels are also getting closer,” the official said.</p><p>“There is also a significant uptick in the presence of Filipino fishing boats—82 Filipino fishing boats (in October). So, we can all argue that the increasing number of Filipino fishing boats is always compensated with an increasing number of CCG and CMM vessels as well,” he added.</p><div> </div><div><strong>INCREASED PATROL DAYS</strong></div><p>In response to these developments, the PCG and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) significantly increased patrol days in 2025.</p><p>Data showed a sharp rise in patrol operations, particularly in Bajo de Masinloc—from 97 in 2024 to 318 in 2025.</p><p>“It means that we are also adapting, responding to the normalization of the unlawful presence of the CCG in Bajo de Masinloc,” Tarriela noted.</p><p>He then continued, “Secondly, that is to ensure the safety and security of our Filipino fishermen.”</p><div> </div><div><strong>NEW CHINA COAST GUARD VESSELS DETECTED</strong></div><p>The PCG report also documented at least 23 CCG vessels that were not present in the agency’s 2024 monitoring.</p><div><a class="fr-strong fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/13/3-pinoy-fishermen-sustain-injuries-after-harassment-from-chinese-vessels-pcg-1435">3 Filipino fishermen injured in Chinese ships&#x27; water cannon attack</a></div><p>These vessels were observed operating across the wider West Philippine Sea, including northern Luzon.</p><p>Tarriela said this may indicate both the construction of new CCG ships and the redeployment of Chinese assets across the region.</p><p>“They are deploying more vessels. They are realigning or redeploying all those CCG vessels in different parts of the South China Sea, usually in the West Philippine Sea,” the official said.</p><p>“Another plausible reason is the CCG [is] building more CG vessels that they are also deploying in the West Philippine Sea,” he added.</p><div> </div><div><strong>RISE IN CHINESE RESEARCH VESSELS</strong></div><p>According to Tarriela, another major development in 2025 was the increased presence of Chinese research vessels.</p><p>The PCG monitored 46 Chinese research vessels operating or transiting through the West Philippine Sea and the eastern seaboard, including the Philippine Rise.</p><p>Some of these vessels were documented conducting unauthorized marine scientific research, including the deployment of underwater drones and research instruments without the consent and approval of the Philippine government.</p><p>The PCG categorized the monitored research vessels into deep-sea and advanced technology ships, fisheries research and maritime surveillance vessels, and geological and seismic research ships.</p><p>Tarriela warned that the activities of these research vessels may be linked to seabed mapping, submarine operations, or potential surveillance of undersea cables.</p><p>“But for 2025, para sa akin, the efforts of the PCG, the AFP, and even the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) have been very effective in exposing Chinese aggression. As a matter of fact, according to surveys, 94% of Filipinos strongly support the transparency effort ng ating pamahalaan,” Tarriela said.</p>

<p>The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Monday reported significant changes in the security situation in the West Philippine Sea in 2025 compared with 2024, citing wider and more aggressive deployment of Chinese vessels, and a corresponding increase in Philippine patrol operations.</p>

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Monday reported significant changes in the security situation in the West Philippine Sea in 2025 compared with 2024, citing wider and more aggressive deployment of Chinese vessels, and a corresponding increase in Philippine patrol operations.