At least 54 Chinese vessels were spotted in the West Philippine Sea, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said on Thursday. 

AFP spokesperson Col. France Margareth Padilla said the Chinese vessels were monitored in four features in the WPS, of which seven were from the China Coast Guard (CCG), 18 from China's maritime militia (CMM), and 29 were Chinese fishing vessels or small boats (CVFs)

Padilla said the sightings of Chinese vessels in the WPS were logged as of 4:00 PM on 11 March. 

There are five CCG vessels, 18 CMM ships, and 10 Chinese small boats in Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal).

One CCG vessel, and six China fishing vessels in Ayungin Shoal. 

In Pag-asa Island, one CCG vessel and six China fishing vessels. There are seven Chinese fishing vessels in Panata Island.

“No significant sightings on other WPS features,” Padilla stressed. 

Other features include Likas Island, Lawak Island, Rizal Reef, Kota Island, and Sabina Shoal. 

The number of Chinese vessels in the WPS was quite consistent after the Philippine Navy reported only 50 ships as of 26 February.