The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) continued to monitor Chinese warships and coast guard vessels in Philippine waters in August, while authorities also observed what they described as a shift in China’s alleged influence operations toward domestic issues.

AFP special spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad said Tuesday that 56 Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy and China Coast Guard vessels were monitored around four key maritime features during the month.

Of these, 18 vessels — one PLA Navy and 17 CCG — were monitored at Ayungin Shoal; 23 — nine PLA Navy and 14 CCG — at Bajo de Masinloc; nine — four PLA Navy and five CCG — at Escoda Shoal; and six — one PLA Navy and five CCG — near Pag-asa Island.

Trinidad said the presence of the vessels reflected what the AFP described as “illegal, coercive, aggressive and deceptive” activities that challenge Philippine maritime rights and contribute to regional instability.

He also said China’s alleged foreign influence operations had expanded beyond issues directly involving the West Philippine Sea and now included domestic political and social issues.

“Starting the first quarter of the year 2026, there has been a change in the approach of foreign influence being waged against us,” Trinidad said.

Meddling

He said issues involving the impeachment trial, flood control, criticism of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the Sanjia Steel raid and attacks against the defense establishment were among the domestic issues being monitored for possible foreign influence.

“What used to be clearly identifiable as pro-Davao, pro-WPS issues, today the formalized influence approach is already inserting itself into local issues,” Trinidad said.

He said the shift made alleged foreign influence more difficult to detect because it was being mixed with genuine domestic concerns.

Trinidad urged the public to verify information before sharing it online.

“Before you like, before you forward, before you click, make sure that what you are reading is true,” he said.

The AFP, he added, would continue maintaining its presence and monitoring activities in the West Philippine Sea.