Officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Command (Wescom) based in Palawan has released a report that says at least 30 Chinese fishing vessels were spotted within the territorial boundaries of the West Philippine Sea.
The latest report was a result of the aerial reconnaissance operations conducted by the AFP Wescom last September 6 and 7 which also revealed that 23 Chinese fishing vessels were “loitering” around the Ioquis Reef and Sabina Shoal.
These two areas, AFP officials stressed, are located near Recto Bank which is within the West Philippine Sea.
“Additional swarming was observed in Escoda (Sabina) Shoal, where five Chinese fishing vessels were present, and in Baragatan (Nares) Bank, with two Chinese fishing vessels recorded,” the Western Command said.
“The repeated swarming incidents in both Rozul Reef and Escoda Shoal emphasize the continuous violation of Philippine sovereign rights and jurisdiction in its western border,” the Wescom report added.
According to Wescom authorities, the so-called “swarming” of Chinese fishing vessels threatens the country’s maritime security, fisheries conservation efforts, and territorial integrity.
The first incursion of the country’s territorial waters by a huge number of Chinese fishing vessels was reported in 2021 during the term of President Rodrigo Duterte.