The number of Chinese vessels monitored in several areas of the West Philippine Sea (WPS) increased in June, the Philippine Navy reported Tuesday.

A total of 49 Chinese ships were observed in and around Bajo de Masinloc, Ayungin Shoal, and Pagasa Island, according to Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad, Navy spokesperson for the WPS.

Trinidad said the sightings included nine China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels and 14 People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels at Bajo de Masinloc; 12 CCG and two PLAN ships at Ayungin Shoal; and nine CCG vessels and three PLAN vessels in the vicinity of Pagasa Island.

“These 49 ships were not there all the time, but they were seen moving in and out of different features,” Trinidad told reporters in a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

He said June saw the highest number of Chinese vessels recorded this year, surpassing previous counts of 11 in January, nine in February, 35 in March, 31 in April, and 41 in May.

Asked why the number surged, Trinidad said, “We have to look at it from the perspective of the weather or the deployment cycle.”

“Right now, we have no direct reference on the tactical implications of why the number rose to 49 from last month’s 41. It could be a factor of weather, deployment cycle, maintenance, or repair,” he added.