By Priam Nepomuceno

INCREASED PRESENCE. Chinese fast boats and a rigid-hull inflatable boat mounted with a heavy crew-served weapon are seen maneuvering in Ayungin Shoal on Wednesday (Aug. 20, 2025). Despite the increase in Chinese presence in the area, the Philippine Navy on Friday (Aug. 22) said it is not intimidated. (Photo courtesy of AFP)

MANILA – The Philippine Navy (PN) is not intimidated by the increased presence and activities of Chinese vessels in Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), saying there is nothing new to it.

“Their actions are coercive and aggressive. And in the past we have seen (a) similar number of vessels sa ating mga features (in our features) in the WPS,” PN spokesperson for the WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said in an interview on Friday.

Five China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels were observed in Ayungin Shoal on Aug. 20, with 11 rigid-hulled inflatable boats and fast boats, and nine Chinese maritime militia vessels.

Some of the CCG’s fast boats were also observed to have been upgraded with mounted weapons, including heavy crew-served weapons, and were seen conducting maneuvers and drills involving the use of water cannons.

“This is a form of intimidation. They are trying to intimidate us. They are trying to coerce us, showing their capability,” Trinidad said.

“Sa atin naman, alam naman natin na dati nilang ginagawa ito (But for us, we are already aware of these tactics as they’ve already used it against us). We have been here before,” he added.

Aside from these sea vessels, a helicopter and an unmanned aerial vehicle were also monitored in Ayungin Shoal.

Trinidad maintained that the presence of Chinese vessels in Ayungin Shoal is illegal, and that every Filipino soldier “is convinced of the legitimacy of our cause, of our stand in the WPS.”

Also called the Second Thomas Shoal, Ayungin Shoal is a submerged reef located 105 nautical miles west of Palawan and is within the country’s 200-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

A World War II-era vessel, BRP Sierra Madre, manned by Filipino soldiers, has been grounded in Ayungin Shoal since 1999, serving as a symbol of Philippine sovereignty in the offshore territory.

Asked on how the troops will prepare for the next rotation and resupply (RORE) mission to BRP Sierra Madre following the Chinese drills in Ayungin Shoal, Trinidad refused to go into specifics but stressed that all their actions will be “within the rules of engagement.”

The last RORE mission to Ayungin Shoal was on May 16. (PNA)