MANILA — The number of Chinese vessels monitored in several West Philippine Sea (WPS) features increased to 36 in the past week, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said.

In a media report, it said that AFP spokesperson for WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said the latest figure is higher than the 27 vessels recorded in the previous monitoring report.

From May 19 to 25, Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) and People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels were observed in multiple areas across the disputed waters.

At Ayungin Shoal, nine vessels were monitored, consisting of one PLAN vessel and eight CCG ships.

At Bajo de Masinloc, 19 vessels were recorded, including 10 PLAN ships and nine CCG vessels.

At Escoda Shoal, five vessels were observed, made up of two PLAN ships and three CCG vessels.

At Pag-asa Islands, three vessels were tracked, consisting of two PLAN ships and one CCG vessel.

Tensions in the area continue as Beijing maintains its sweeping claim over almost the entire South China Sea, a key global trade route handling more than $3 trillion in annual shipborne commerce, including areas claimed by the Philippines and other neighboring states.

The Philippine government refers to parts of the South China Sea within its territory as the West Philippine Sea, covering maritime zones on the western side of the Philippine archipelago, including the Luzon Sea and waters around the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines, stating that China’s expansive claims had “no legal basis.” China has since rejected the ruling.