The number of Chinese Coast Guard vessels and research and survey ships monitored in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) increased during the first semester of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Monday.
AFP spokesperson for the WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad and PCG spokesperson for the WPS Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela made the disclosure during a joint press conference.
“What has increased is the number of Coast Guard vessels for the first sem of 2026 compared to the first sem of 2025. Also, there has been a noted surge in the presence of research vessels from the [People’s Liberation Army Navy] up north,” Trinidad said.