Chinese ship massing anew

The number of Chinese military and maritime vessels anchored within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ), particularly in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), has notably risen during the first week of 2026.

In a Camp Aguinaldo briefing, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson for the WPS, Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, said that monitoring from 1 to 7 January detected a total of 41 Chinese vessels across four key maritime features, significantly more than the average of 25 boats recorded in recent months.

At Bajo de Masinloc, the AFP monitored eight vessels: two People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy ships, three Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessels, and three Chinese maritime militia boats.

At Ayungin Shoal, there were 14 vessels — six CCG ships and eight maritime militia boats.

At Escoda Shoal, the AFP counted 13 vessels --- three PLA Navy, six CCG, and four maritime militia vessels.

Meanwhile, six vessels were monitored near Pag-Asa Island — four CCG ships and two maritime militia boats.

Despite the higher weekly count, Trinidad explained that threat assessments were usually made monthly.

“When we look at trends and patterns, we usually look at them over a month, not weekly,” he said, noting that a more accurate assessment will be available after comparing January data with the figures from November and December.

Trinidad, however, pointed to a clear upward trend in the annual data for 2024 and 2025.

“There has been an increase in the PLA Navy and Chinese Coast Guard presence across Philippine maritime features, and their actions have become more aggressive,” he said.

“From being merely distant observers of our multilateral maritime cooperative activities, they are now operating in closer proximity,” he added.

Trinidad said the Philippine military expects such a pattern of increased Chinese presence to continue throughout 2026.

First harassment incident

Later in the briefing, Trinidad confirmed the first harassment incident of the year, which occurred on Sunday near Bajo de Masinloc.

A Filipino fishing boat, the Prince LJ, was reportedly harassed by a Chinese Coast Guard ship and a PLA Navy vessel from around noon until 3 p.m. The two Chinese vessels allegedly approached within 30 meters of the fishing boat and blocked its path toward its fishing grounds. No injuries were reported.

The Philippine Coast Guard deployed the BRP Cape San Agustin to assist the fishing vessel.

The fisherman was provided with fuel and given a medical check, which confirmed that he was unharmed, and he resumed fishing without further incident.

Trinidad described the incident as a coercive act.

“These are coercive and aggressive actions designed to destroy the will of our fishermen to fish,” he said.

Trinidad said the involvement of the PLA Navy in the incident “reflects a shift in Chinese operations.”

“Compared from 2024 to 2025, we now see closer integration between the Chinese Coast Guard and the PLA Navy,” he said. “While the Coast Guard conducts the closer approach, the PLA Navy remains in close vicinity.”

Increased patrols,

possible escorts

In response, Trinidad said the government has intensified patrol plans and enhanced coordination among the Philippine Navy, the Coast Guard, and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

These include increased maritime patrols, surveillance flights, and the use of enhanced maritime domain awareness systems.

Asked if the AFP was considering providing naval and air cover or escort missions for Filipino fishermen, Trinidad said such options are part of the military’s operational “package,” though details were not disclosed.

“We do not announce in advance. But rest assured the AFP will continue to aid the Coast Guard and BFAR as they carry out their mandates,” he said.

Despite reports of an increasing Chinese presence, Trinidad said that no other coercive or aggressive actions, including against fishermen, had been recorded as of 12 January, beyond the Bajo de Masinloc incident.