The Philippines says it has confirmed the presence of 11 Chinese warships at a contested shoal in the South China Sea. Manila pulled a patrol ship from the area earlier this month after it was rammed by a Chinese Coast Guard vessel.
The Philippine Navy says the tally of 11 Chinese Navy ships at Sabina Shoal in the Spratly Islands was recorded over seven days starting September 17. That is the most seen in a single week since Manila started monitoring the area about six months ago.
Sabina Shoal is located within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone. China also claims the shoal.
In April, Manila dispatched a patrol ship to monitor a group of Chinese vessels in the shoal. Last month, a Chinese Coast Guard ship rammed it and deliveries of supplies to the Filipino crew have been disrupted.
Manila ordered its ship to return to port earlier this month as some crew members needed medical care and water was running out.
The Philippine Navy says it will not be deterred by the latest Chinese move. It says it will keep monitoring the shoal.