Philippines Raises Alarm Over Increase in Chinese Boats in Disputed Sea

An activist holds a prop with the words "defend West Philippine Sea" during a protest outside the Chinese Consulate in Manila's financial district, guarded by Philippine police, on the anniversary of an international arbitral court ruling invalidating Beijing's historical claims over the waters of the South China Sea in Makati City, Philippines, on July 12, 2021. Eloisa Lopez/Reuters

MANILA—The Philippine military on Friday reported an “alarming” increase in the number of Chinese fishing vessels in disputed waters in the South China Sea, which it said threatens the security of the oil and gas-rich Reed Bank.

From only a dozen in February, the number of Chinese fishing vessels “swarming” in Iroquois reef, just south of the Reed Bank, has risen to 47 as of last month, according to the military’s Western Command (WESCOM).