West Philippine Sea: Calm Seas Observed, Tensions Still Simmer (November 29-30, 2024)

Baybay City, Philippines – November 30, 2024 – Weather reports from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) indicate calm seas across the West Philippine Sea (WPS), Scarborough Shoal, Second Thomas Shoal, and the South China Sea for the period of November 29, 2024 (1801 PST) to November 30, 2024 (0600 PST). However, regional tensions persist amidst continued Chinese activity in the disputed waters.

Chinese Coast Guard Presence

Social media posts from Filipino fishermen operating in the WPS reported sightings of Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessels patrolling near Pag-asa Island (also known as Thitu Island) on November 29th. While details remain scarce, these reports are consistent with a pattern of increased Chinese kehadiran (presence) in the region documented by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in recent months.

Government Statements

No official statements regarding specific incidents in the WPS were issued by the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) or the PCG during the reporting period. However, on November 28th, the DFA reiterated the Philippines’ position on the arbitration ruling won by the country in 2016, which declared China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea to be illegal.

US Navy Activity

Publicly available resources from the United States Navy did not show any notable vessel movements within the WPS or South China Sea during the covered period. However, the US maintains a strong commitment to freedom of navigation in the region, routinely conducting patrols and exercises.

Looking Ahead

While the past 24 hours saw no major developments in the WPS, the situation remains fluid. Continued Chinese presence and the ongoing dispute over territorial claims are likely to keep tensions high in the coming days. WPS.News will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they become available.

Sources:

• Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)
• Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines (DFA)
• Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)
• United States Navy public resources
• Social media reports from Filipino fishermen (verified through geolocation)

Note: This report is based on publicly available information and may not be exhaustive. WPS.News strives to provide accurate and objective reporting, and welcomes additional information from credible sources.