NUMBER OF CHINESE SHIPS IN WEST PH SEA INCREASES AS WAR GAMES BEGIN

MANILA, Philippines — A substantial increase in the number of Chinese vessels was monitored in the West Philippine Sea on the heels of the annual war games between Manila and Washington.

On Tuesday, the Philippine Navy released data to reporters, showing that a total of 124 China Coast Guard and People’s Liberation Army-Navy warships, as well as suspected Chinese maritime militia vessels, were monitored from April 16 to 22.

This was a sharp increase compared to 79 Chinese vessels recorded from April 9 to 15, according to the Navy.

The 39th iteration of “Balikatan” (shoulder-to-shoulder) exercise kicked off on Monday, joined by 16,000 personnel including contingents from the Australian Defense Force, the French Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard.

READ: ‘Most expansive balikatan yet’ kicks off today

Maj. Gen. Marvin Licudine, Balikatan’s exercise director, said they expect Chinese vessels to be in the vicinity during the drills.