West Philippine Sea: Calm Seas Amidst Continued Chinese Presence (November 26-27, 2024)

Baybay City, Philippines – November 27, 2024 – The past 24 hours in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) saw relatively calm weather conditions with no reports of significant maritime incidents. However, the issue of Chinese presence in disputed areas remains a point of concern.

Weather: According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the WPS experienced moderate to occasionally rough seas with waves reaching up to 1.5 to 2.5 meters. Visibility remained good throughout the period.

Scarborough Shoal: Social media posts and reports from Filipino fishermen noted continued sightings of Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessels in the vicinity of Scarborough Shoal. The exact number and type of vessels remain unconfirmed. There were no reports of any confrontations or harassment of Filipino fishermen.

Second Thomas Shoal: No recent information was available on the specific situation at Second Thomas Shoal. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) typically maintains a limited presence around the shoal due to its proximity to Chinese-occupied Subi Reef.

South China Sea: Regional news sources reported continued activity by Chinese fishing vessels and maritime militia vessels in areas claimed by Vietnam and Malaysia. There were no reports of these activities spilling over into the WPS.

Government Statements: As of this report, there have been no official statements from the Philippine government regarding activities in the WPS over the past 24 hours.

Analysis: The continued presence of CCG vessels near Scarborough Shoal is a recurring point of tension. While there were no reports of confrontations, it highlights the ongoing issue of China’s expansive territorial claims in the South China Sea. The lack of information on the situation at Second Thomas Shoal underscores the challenges of monitoring activities in remote areas of the WPS.

Looking Ahead: It is likely that Chinese presence in the WPS will remain a point of focus for the Philippine government and regional observers. Monitoring weather conditions and any potential changes in the deployment of vessels will be crucial in the coming days.

Sources:

• Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)
• Social media reports from Filipino fishermen (verified through cross-referencing)
• Vietnamese and Malaysian news sources (limited to reports in the South China Sea)

Note: Due to the limitations of open-source intelligence (OSINT) gathering, specific details on the number and type of Chinese vessels in the WPS may be unavailable.