Chinese Vessel Swarm and Allied Drills Mark Tense Week in West Philippine Sea

By WPS News Staff Writer
December 1, 2025

MANILA — A surge in Chinese maritime presence dominated the West Philippine Sea last week, with Philippine forces monitoring 30 military and coast guard vessels across disputed features, amid joint exercises with allies aimed at bolstering regional security. The developments, spanning November 24 to 30, underscored Manila’s resolve to uphold the 2016 arbitral ruling against Beijing’s expansive claims, while highlighting potential violations of international maritime law.

Escalating Chinese Presence Sparks Concerns

On November 24, the Philippine Navy reported spotting 30 People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) and China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels swarming four key features in the West Philippine Sea, Manila’s term for its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) within the South China Sea. Near Scarborough Shoal (Bajo de Masinloc), four PLAN warships and eight CCG ships were detected, alongside seven vessels at Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal), and others at Escoda Shoal and Pag-asa Island. Navy spokesperson Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad described the deployment as a “swarm,” emphasizing continuous air and sea patrols under Northern Luzon and Western Commands to maintain vigilance.

This buildup, the largest in recent months, coincided with Tropical Depression Verbena’s landfall in Surigao del Sur on November 24, which later traversed Palawan and entered the West Philippine Sea by November 26. Philippine officials anticipated a temporary retreat of Chinese vessels due to rough seas, but monitoring persisted. By November 30, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) shadowed two CCG ships near Panatag Shoal (Scarborough), noting no immediate aggression but ongoing encroachment.

Experts view the presence as gray-zone coercion, testing Manila’s response without direct conflict. “These deployments undermine freedom of navigation and violate UNCLOS provisions on innocent passage,” said Jay Batongbacal, head of the University of the Philippines’ Institute for Maritime Affairs. The 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), to which both nations are signatories, prohibits such militarized intrusions into foreign EEZs.

Maritime Law Violations Under Scrutiny

Several incidents last week raised alarms over breaches of international maritime norms. On November 25, CCG vessels near Ayungin Shoal reportedly conducted “dangerous maneuvers,” including blocking Philippine resupply boats—a tactic echoing prior water cannon attacks and rammings deemed violations of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS) and the International Maritime Organization’s safety guidelines. The PCG filed a protest, citing risks to crew safety and environmental damage from potential spills.

Rumors circulated on social media and fishing forums of CCG harassment against Filipino fishermen near Escoda Shoal on November 27, including alleged acoustic devices to deter access to traditional grounds. While unverified, these align with patterns documented by the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, which reported over 50 such incidents in 2025. Official notices from the Department of Foreign Affairs condemned the actions as “reckless,” invoking the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling that invalidated China’s nine-dash line claims.

No major collisions occurred, but the National Maritime Council weighed responses, including buoy removals near Scarborough—barriers installed by China in violation of UNCLOS Article 121 on artificial islands lacking EEZ rights. “These structures impede lawful fishing and transit,” Trinidad stated.

Allied Drills Signal Unity

Countering the pressure, Manila deepened ties with partners. On November 26, the Philippines and India conducted their second joint naval exercises in the West Philippine Sea, involving BRP Jose Rizal and INS Sahyadri in anti-submarine and interdiction drills. This followed a similar August activity near Masinloc, Zambales, enhancing interoperability amid shared concerns over Beijing’s assertiveness.

By November 29, Filipino and Japanese forces executed their third bilateral maritime cooperative activity, with BRP Antonio Luna alongside JS Harusame off Palawan. The Armed Forces of the Philippines hailed the maneuvers as “routine” for deterrence, covering anti-surface and electronic warfare scenarios. These exercises, part of broader U.S.-led efforts like the recent Nimitz Strike Group patrols, reaffirm commitments under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty.

Viable rumors from diplomatic circles suggest expanded U.S.-Philippine task forces, potentially tripling patrol coverage by early 2026, though officials downplayed escalation risks.

Path Forward Amid Storms

As Verbena weakened over the West Philippine Sea by November 27, exiting the Philippine area of responsibility on November 28, it briefly disrupted operations but highlighted the region’s vulnerability to dual threats—geopolitical and climatic. With no major incidents by week’s end, Manila urged dialogue via ASEAN channels, yet Beijing’s foreign ministry reiterated its “indisputable sovereignty.”

The week’s events reinforce the need for unified enforcement of maritime laws. As one fisher from Zambales noted anonymously, “We just want to fish without fear.” With patrols intensifying, 2026 looms as a pivotal year for de-escalation—or confrontation.

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References

Armed Forces of the Philippines. (2025, November 25). 30 Chinese coast guard, naval ships monitored in West PH Sea. ABS-CBN News. https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/25/30-chinese-coast-guard-naval-ships-monitored-in-west-ph-sea-afp-1512

GMA Integrated News. (2025, November 25). PH Navy: 30 Chinese vessels including warships spotted in WPS. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/967368/ph-navy-30-chinese-vessels-including-warships-spotted-in-wps/story/

Philippine News Agency. (2025, November 25). 30 Chinese ships spotted in 4 WPS features. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1263941

Philstar Global Corp. (2025, November 25). 30 Chinese vessels swarm West Philippine Sea. https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2025/11/25/2489796/30-chinese-vessels-swarm-west-philippine-sea

Philstar Global Corp. (2025, November 28). Philippines, India hold 2nd joint drills in West Philippine Sea. https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2025/11/28/2490458/philippines-india-hold-2nd-joint-drills-west-philippine-sea

The Manila Times. (2025, November 30). PH, Japan hold third drill in West Philippine Sea. https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/11/30/news/ph-japan-hold-third-drill-in-west-philippine-sea/2233803

United Nations. (1982). United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. https://www.un.org/depts/los/convention_agreements/texts/unclos/unclos_e.pdf