Navy: Chinese vessels within Pagasa Island 'normal, expected'

The Philippine Navy on Tuesday said the presence of the China Coast Guard and Chinese maritime militias near Pag-asa Island is considered "normal and expected," given the island's proximity to the disputed Subi Reef.

Subi Reef is an atoll in the Spratly Islands of the South China Sea, positioned about 26 kilometers (16 miles) southwest of Thitu (Pag-asa) Island.

"So, at any one time, you would notice that there are a good number of maritime militia vessels and the Chinese Coast Guard," Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, told reporters in a press conference.

The said reef is part of Philippines' extended continental shelf, but outside of their exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

China has occupied the area and constructed a military base, which includes a runway, radar facilities, and other structures.

Aside from Manila and Beijing, Taiwan and Vietnam also claim Subi Reef.

On Sunday, the Atin Ito Coalition launched its third civilian-led mission to the West Philippine Sea (WPS), which will conclude with a concert near Pag-asa Island. The mission is scheduled to run from May 26 to 30.

While en route to Pagasa Island on Tuesday morning, two China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels shadowed a coalition ship approximately 54 nautical miles off the coast of El Nido, Palawan. Radio challenges were exchanged between the Chinese and Philippine sides during the encounter.

Since the information had reached the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Trinidad said the military's Western Command began closely monitoring the situation.

"Western Command is monitoring the activity. There are appropriate contingencies in place in the event that a response from the AFP is needed," Trinidad stressed.

Meanwhile, Trinidad said the AFP has not detected any signs of coercive actions from the Chinese forces since the start of the civilian mission.

"The water cannon attack was conducted on the 21st of this month. The Atin Ito convoy for the concert for Peace at Sea is from 26 to 29 May. So far, there are no indications yet of any coercive aggressive actions by the Chinese Coast Guard or the maritime militia," he explained.

Trinidad said the civilian mission has yet to be completed, thus, Chinese aggression "remains to be seen."

"Nevertheless, your government instrumentalities in the maritime domain are prepared for any eventuality. We are prepared to respond to provide their support or assistance," he added.

Pattern of aggression

However, Trinidad emphasized that the military has not observed any threats to the ongoing civilian mission from adversaries in the West Philippine Sea.

"So far, wala pa naman (So far, there is nothing). However, this will not negate the fact that the actions of the elements of the Chinese Communist Party have a pattern of aggression and coercive maneuvers in the West Philippine Sea," he said.

Trinidad said a consistent pattern—where Chinese forces temporarily ease hostilities during high-profile activities, only to resume aggressive and coercive actions afterward—appears to be a deliberate strategy employed by the CCG and Chinese maritime militia in the WPS.

"The pattern of aggression of the CCG and the maritime militia happens after a maritime cooperative activity (MCA). Each time there’s an MCA, there is a change in their behavior, but after the MCA, they resume their aggressive and coercive actions. That has been the pattern of aggression by the CCG and CMM,” Trinidad said.

Further, Trinidad assures the AFP is doing everything it can to keep Filipinos safe existing conflict risks in the WPS.

"We do not control the escalation dynamics of hostilities, but we could assure not only the Atin Ito Coalition participants but all Filipinos in the West Philippine Sea, therefore our forces, the other government agencies are always there ready to protect them as much as we can," he said.