When they are not directly supporting the China Coast Guard (CCG) in blocking supplies to a key Philippine outpost in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the Chinese maritime militia (CMM) posing as fishermen are harming the country’s marine environment, according to the Western Command (Wescom) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. There is a “resurgence” of CMM vessels swarming in many parts of the Philippines’ 370-kilometer exclusive economic zone (EEZ), raising concerns regarding “the potential implications for Philippines’ maritime security, fisheries conservation, territorial integrity and preservation of the marine environment,” Wescom said on Thursday.

Mangosing, F., & Lazaro, J. (2023, September 16-17). AFP: Chinese 'fishermen' used vs PH in two ways. Panay News, pp. 9, 15.