National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said on Sunday that eight Chinese fishing vessels were spotted in the Pagasa Island area last week just as the government reported the presence of at least 220 Chinese maritime militia vessels near Bataraza, Palawan. The military said it was continuing to monitor the presence of the Chinese ships in the country’s maritime waters as the government mulls over its response, including the possible lodging of a diplomatic protest by the Department of Foreign Affairs. The presence of Chinese fishing vessels at Pagasa, just 50 nautical miles from the Whitsun Reef where the Chinese maritime militias were spotted, was disclosed by Esperon, and it came just two days after the Philippine Navy commissioned into service its newest frigate.

Acosta, R. (2021, March 22). PHL says 200 Chinese ships at disputed reef. Business Mirror, p. A4.