The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Wednesday confirmed the presence of at least 30 suspected Chinese maritime militia (CMM) vessels in Sabina and Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippines Sea.(Photo courtesy of PCG)
MANILA, Philippines — There are still Chinese militia at the Ayungin and Sabina shoals at the West Philippine Sea, said the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela on Saturday.
This follows an incident reported by the PCG on Tuesday, February 21, wherein at least 30 suspected Chinese maritime militia vessels were spotted in the same area.
READ: Coast Guard spots 30 suspected Chinese militia vessels in Sabina, Ayungin shoal
“What I can confirm is that there are still Chinese maritime militia, and China Coast Guard vessel in Ayungin and Sabina shoals,” said Tarriela when asked for updates about the incident.
The PCG spokesperson has described the incident as “swarming.”
Tarriela said that they have already submitted an incident report about the incident to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
“The decision on following up with the diplomatic protest lies on the DFA. We can just submit facts and evidences. It’s always up to them how they are going to utilize those documents and proof that we submitted,” said Tarriela.
The DFA had previously said that China has only answered 101 of the 195 diplomatic protests the Philippines has filed.