The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said 23 Chinese vessels were present in key areas of the West Philippine Sea (WPS) during the onslaught of typhoons Crising, Dante and Emong.

Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, AFP spokesperson for the WPS, said a total of seven Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) and seven People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy ships were sighted in Bajo de Masinloc between July 21 and 27.

Among those deployed included four CCG and two PLA Navy vessels in Ayungin Shoal, one PLA Navy ship in Sabina Shoal, and one CCG and one PLA Navy ship near Pag-asa Island.

Trinidad clarified that no aggressive acts by Chinese forces were recorded during their presence.

He stressed that the continued presence of foreign ships within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) remains a “concern.”

“We will keep performing our mandate of securing our national territory and protecting our sovereignty and sovereign rights,” said Trinidad.

“The Department of National Defense has been very clear—we will be resistant and unwavering against the aggressive actions of the Chinese Communist Party. Your Armed Forces are prepared to sacrifice, pay even the ultimate sacrifice in furtherance of this mandate.”

AFP officials said that under the Marcos administration, the defense sector has intensified both domestic preparedness and regional engagement with allies.

“From 2022 onwards, we have seen an escalation in our defense diplomacy,” Trinidad said, citing new agreements such as the Reciprocal Access Agreement with Japan and a Visiting Forces Agreement with New Zealand.

“More than statements of support, we have seen ships, aircraft and troops from like-minded countries performing activities with your Armed Forces on land, sea, and air.”

AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla also reiterated the military’s alignment with the administration’s modernization and self-reliant defense agenda.

“Whether it’s securing our democracy, defending our sovereignty, or saving lives—we remain your steadfast guardians,” she said.

Padilla added that the AFP is supportive of the U.S. government’s recent plans to establish ammunition production in the region, seeing it as a potential complement to the country’s Self-Reliant Defense Posture (SRDP).

“This is also part of our alliance-building with other nations. We welcome this initiative and will support it in whatever way the DND deems appropriate,” she said.

Looking beyond the West Philippine Sea, Trinidad said the AFP has expanded its defense focus across the archipelago, including the southern borders, eastern seaboard, and northernmost islands such as Batanes and Babuyan.

“We are no longer just looking west. We are securing the entire archipelago—from internal to external defense,” he said.