While the number of Chinese vessels near key features in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) has shown a steady monthly increase, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reported a recent decline due to ongoing bad weather.

In a press conference at Camp Aguinaldo on Tuesday. AFP spokesperson for WPS, Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, noted that the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) warships, China Coast Guard (GGG) ships, and Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) vessels “also seek shelter in the areas not affected by the weather.” 

Citing the latest report from the Philippine Navy, Trinidad said there was an increase in the number of Chinese vessels last month. 

“Our latest report was on the first week of this month, which showed an increase on a monthly basis, 49 for the month of June. For the first semester that the highest recorded number,  but historically, because of weather disturbances, these numbers drastically drop,” he further pointed out. 

“So we expect for this particular timeframe, the number of PLA Navy ships, Coast Guard, and even the maritime militia would be lesser than the last report,” he added. 

Last month, a total of 49 Chinese ships were observed in and around Bajo de Masinloc, Ayungin Shoal, and Pagasa Island. 

These sightings included nine CCG vessels and 14 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.

However, Trinidad emphasized that vessel numbers typically drop during periods of bad weather.

“The trend is that, after any weather disturbance, the numbers always increase. They go back to their regular, their normal presence,” he said.