(UPDATE) CLOSE to 30 Chinese fishing vessels (CFVs) have been massing at several locations in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Command (Wescom) reported on Thursday. The renewed swarming of Chinese boats could further fuel the already volatile situation in the WPS where incursions by Chinese coast guard (CCG) and maritime militia have become more frequent. Escoda Shoal serves as a marker for the approach to Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, where Chinese ships have been shadowing and harassing boats delivering supplies to the Philippine military station there, Wescom said. These activities have been a source of tension in the WPS and have contributed to instability in the region," Wescom said in a statement. The US continues to upgrade the camps as part of the overall plan to beef up the Philippines' defense posture.
