The Philippines has expressed concern that some 220 vessels, believed to be manned by Chinese maritime militia personnel, were spotted on March 7 in the disputed South China Sea, the latest example of tensions in the crucial waterway. The military will conduct air and sea patrols to verify the reported sighting of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) two weeks ago of Chinese fishing vessels lined up and moored in an area within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) near Palawan. Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said the country filed on Sunday night a diplomatic protest against China over the March 7 incident.

Aning, J., Santos, T. G., Corrales, N., Enano, J. O., & Andrade, J. I. (2021, March 22). PH protests Chinese ships in WPS. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A3.