MANILA – Amid renewed tension following flares “attack” by China fighter jets on Philippine Air Force airplanes doing routine checks on Philippine territory, the Philippine Navy (PN) noted an increased presence of Chinese naval and coast guard ships in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

In a report, the Philippine Navy said nine People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels and 13 China Coast Guard vessels (CCGVs) were spotted from Aug. 6 to 12 – higher than the six PLAN ships and 12 CCGVs seen from July 30 to Aug. 5.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., meanwhile, condemned on Sunday the aggression by China’s People’s Liberation Army – Air Force (PLAAF) in the West Philippine Sea, which the Philippine military said “endangered” the lives of its personnel.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines also condemned the incident, in which the PLAAF used flares in the path of a Philippine Air Force plane on patrol over Bajo de Masinloc, a traditional fishing ground off Zambales.

“The President strongly condemns the air incident in Bajo de Masinloc earlier this week, and stands by our brave men and women of the AFP, especially the Philippine Air Force (PAF),” the President said,

Earlier, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said on Saturday it strongly condemns “dangerous and provocative actions” by China’s air force at Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.

It was the first time the Philippines has complained of dangerous actions by Chinese aircraft, as opposed to navy or coast guard vessels, since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. took office in 2022.

Two People’s Liberation Army Air Force aircraft executed a dangerous maneuver and dropped flares in the path of a NC-212i Philippine Air Force propeller aircraft conducting a routine maritime patrol over the Scarborough Shoal around 9 a.m. Thursday, the AFP said in a statement.

Over the weekend, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) and the United States Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) held a bilateral integration exercise involving fighter and airlift assets in Pampanga and Cebu.

Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo, PAF public affairs office chief, said  that the exercise dubbed “Iron Blade” was another demonstration of the “strong and enduring partnership” between the Philippines and the US, as well as their commitment to regional security and stability.

The exercise involved a combined force of two Philippine FA-50PH fighter aircraft, two US Air Force FA-22s, and a US Air Force C-130 Hercules transport aircraft.

During the maneuver, the aircraft conducted formation flights between Basa Air Base in Pampanga and Brig. Gen. Benito Ebuen Air Base in Mactan, Cebu.

In the same period, two China Research and Survey Vessels (CRSVs) were also spotted, compared to only one seen in the previous week.

Meanwhile, the number of China Maritime Militia Vessels (CMMVs) sighted for this period was 68, significantly lower than the 106 spotted last time.

Of the 13 CCGVs spotted in the WPS, three were seen in Bajo de Masinloc, five in Ayungin Shoal, two in Pagasa Island, and three in Sabina Shoal.

Of the nine PLAN ships, one was spotted in Ayungin Shoal, two in Pagasa Island, one in Likas Island, one in Patag Island, three in Sabina Shoal, and one in Iroquois Reef.

Of the 68 CMMVs, six were seen in Bajo de Masinloc, four in Ayungin Shoal, 37 in Pagasa Island, two in Lawak Island, six in Panata Island, and 13 in Sabina Shoal.

Meanwhile, the two CRSVs were spotted in Ayungin Shoal and Patag Island.