The Philippine government has reported a marked increase in Chinese maritime activity near Scarborough Shoal, intensifying a stand-off over the disputed South China Sea atoll.
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Officials in Manila have characterised the build-up as an attempt by Beijing to reassert control after two Chinese ships collided last week during a chase involving a Philippine vessel.
On Sunday, the National Maritime Council cited the Philippine Navy’s latest assessment, reporting that as of Thursday, seven Chinese coastguard vessels and 13 maritime militia ships were deployed near Scarborough Shoal.
The Philippines, by contrast, had a single ship in the area: the BRP Teresa Magbanua. The council did not provide figures for previous deployments but described the current numbers as a clear escalation.
“Maybe this is one of their ways to twist what happened because that was very embarrassing for them, and they want to project again that they’re in control to cover up the issue,” said Alexander Lopez, a spokesman for the council.
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Chinese ships collide during clash with Philippine coastguard in contested South China Sea
Chinese ships collide during clash with Philippine coastguard in contested South China Sea
Despite being heavily outnumbered, Lopez insisted that Manila would maintain its measured approach in the West Philippine Sea – the Philippine term for areas of the South China Sea within its exclusive economic zone – and would refrain from deploying navy warships to Scarborough Shoal to avoid further provocation.