File photo of Chinese Coast Guard vessel CCG-5304 found loitering in the maritime area between 27.0 and 45.0 nautical miles west of Luzon last 16 June 2026. Photo from the Philippine Coast Guard.
Manuel Mogato | August 20, 2026
MANILA — The Chinese Coast Guard has increased its presence and activity in disputed waters in the West Philippine Sea over the last several months, a military spokesman said.
However, the Philippines is not bothered by China’s law enforcement activities as it matched the increased presence by deploying additional naval and coast guard vessels in the area. (Also read: China holds naval and air drills near Scarborough Shoal)
“We are not bothered by this. We have been expecting this,” said retired Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, the military’s spokesman for the West Philippine Sea, told journalists. (Also read: Philippines will continue ‘lawful’ activities near disputed shoal)
Trinidad said the Armed Forces has monitored some 77 Chinese Coast Guard vessels within the Philippines’ maritime zones from January to June this year, compared to only 68 vessels during the same period last year.
“Any changes in the deployment of the adversary, your AFP is prepared to respond accordingly,” said Trinidad, adding the military has been monitoring Chinese activities to “give us an inclination of the direction that would help us project our deployment of forces.”
“This is part of the normal day-to-day activities of the AFP when it comes to forecasting our deployment of forces,” said Trinidad.
He said the increased Chinese presence could be part of China’s “emphasis on law enforcement functions in the West Philippine Sea.”
“This indicates that the functions to be performed that we could expect are more law enforcement functions for this year,” he added.
