Despite the persistent presence of Chinese maritime forces in key areas of the West Philippine Sea (WPS), Chinese vessels temporarily left Bajo de Masinloc during recent inclement weather, the Philippine Navy said Tuesday, confirming none were present at the height of Typhoon Crising and the southwest monsoon.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines said Chinese Coast Guard and navy ships withdrew from the area “to secure themselves” amid rough sea conditions brought by the typhoon and enhanced southwest monsoon, or habagat.

Meanwhile, AFP spokesperson for the WPS, Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, confirmed that a total of 23 Chinese vessels, comprising both China Coast Guard (CCG) and People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) ships, remain in Philippine territorial waters.

Trinidad released a weekly update covering the period from 21 to 27 July.

“We have noted that there has, there are now seven Chinese Coast Guard and seven PLA Navy ships in Bajo de Masinloc, four Coast Guard and two PLA Navy in Ayungin Shoal; no Coast Guard vessel and one PLA Navy in Sabina Shoal; and one Coast Guard and one PLA Navy in Pag-asa for a total of 23,” he told reporters in a press conference at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, on Tuesday.

“For the period mentioned, there was no aggressive action that was monitored or reported,” he added.

Trinidad emphasized that the military continues to monitor the situation closely and remains committed to defending the country’s sovereign rights and maintaining freedom of navigation in the region.