Two Chinese Navy warships and four China Coast Guard (CCG) ships, along with several Chinese maritime militia vessels were spotted by a Philippine Coast Guard plane at the Scarborough Shoal. A Chinese Navy vessel—a tanker with bow number 885—appeared to be conducting a replenishment operation with a CCG ship. “We’re not certain whether this is part of the military training exercise they are doing between the PLA Navy and the CCG,” Tarriela noted.

Espiritu, R. (2025, October 19). PCG eyes Chinese flotilla off Panatag. Manila Standard, pp. A1, A4.