MANILA – At least 90 unauthorized Chinese vessels were monitored in the West Philippine Sea in March, according to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

In a statement, Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said the presence of Chinese forces remained persistent in key areas.

“Specific to the West Philippine Sea, we have documented the persistent and unauthorized presence of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA-N) and China Coast Guard (CCG) across Bajo de Masinloc, Pag-asa island, Ayungin Shoal and Escoda Shoal,” Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said in a statement.

Data showed that Bajo de Masinloc recorded the highest number of monitored vessels at 49, consisting of 17 from the Chinese Navy and 32 from the China Coast Guard. This was followed by Pag-asa Island with 15 vessels, Ayungin Shoal with 14, and Escoda Shoal with 12 vessels.

“These figures highlight the continued use of ICAD (illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive) actions which undermine the rules-based international order and is a blatant attempt to erode the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and sovereign rights of the Philippines,” Trinidad said.

Despite the situation, Trinidad said the AFP will continue to document all incursions and maintain its presence in the area.

“Our commitment to the Filipino people is unwavering: we will not back down, and we will not be deterred in ensuring that vigilant protection of our maritime domain today is a sacred duty that ensures the wealth, security, and heritage of our seas is for the benefit of all future generations of Filipinos,” he added.

The AFP said a total of 22,755 vessels were monitored within Philippine maritime zones in March 2026. Of these, 19,328 were foreign-flagged while 3,428 were domestic vessels.

Of the total monitored, 14,990 vessels responded to radio challenges in compliance with international protocols, while 7,765 failed to respond.

A 2016 ruling by the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration declared that China’s expansive “nine-dash line” claim in the South China Sea has no legal basis.

The ruling also affirmed that Ayungin Shoal, the Spratly Islands, Panganiban or Mischief Reef, and Recto or Reed Bank fall within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, and that China cannot bar Filipino fishermen from operating in Scarborough Shoal, which it identified as a common fishing ground.

China has not recognized the ruling.