AT least six Chinese maritime militia (CMM) ships were monitored inside Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) while another from the China Coast Guard (CCG) was spotted shadowing Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels, which they suspect are headed for another rotation and resupply (RoRe) mission in the area.

The CCG 5205 followed the BRP Cabra and BRP Sindangan as they moved past Escoda (Sabina) Shoal enroute to Ayungin where Filipino troops are stationed on the grounded BRP Sierra Madre, United States maritime security expert Ray Powell said on Saturday.