The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Thursday reported the presence of over 50 Chinese maritime militia (CMM) vessels swarming Rozul Reef, well within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

The PCG confirmed the activity after deploying two vessels and an aircraft to the area, located approximately 130 nautical miles off the coast of Palawan. The deployment was in response to reports of intensified illegal swarming by suspected CMM vessels.

Upon reaching the site, PCG assets spotted more than 50 Chinese vessels, both scattered and clustered, exhibiting irregular movement and anchoring patterns.

“These activities violate the principles of freedom of navigation and infringe upon the sovereign rights of the Philippines in its EEZ,” the PCG said in a statement.

The Chinese vessels were challenged via radio and instructed to clarify their intentions, cease swarming behavior, and comply with the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the 2016 Arbitral Award. No response was received.

To document the incident, the PCG deployed rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIBs) to approach the vessels and record their bow numbers.