PCG flags over 50 Chinese maritime militia swarming Rozul Reef

MANILA, Philippines — More than 50 Chinese maritime militia vessels were seen "illegally swarming" Rozul (Iroquois) Reef in the West Philippine Sea on Wednesday, June 20, according to the Philippine Coast Guard.

The PCG confirmed these sightings after sending two vessels and an aircraft yesterday to the reef, which is some 130 nautical miles off the coast of Palawan and within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.

"Upon arrival at Rozul Reef, the PCG confirmed the presence of over 50 CMM vessels, both scattered and clustered together," PCG spokesperson Jay Tarriela said on Thursday, June 19. 

Maritime militia ships are unarmed vessels that Beijing has used to assert its territorial claims in the South China Sea alongside naval forces. They are ostensibly civilian fishing vessels but are increasingly seen as a paramilitary force.

Chinese maritime militia vessels were seen at the Rozul Reef, June 18, 2025.

Philippine Coast Guard

Radio challenges. The PCG vessels and aircraft had issued radio challenges questioning the presence of the Chinese maritime militia ships within the Philippines' EEZ. 

The Chinese vessels were "directed to clarify their intentions, cease their swarming behaviors, and navigate in accordance with the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the 2016 Arbitral Award," Tarriela said.

"Unfortunately, no response was received from the CMM vessels," he added.

The PCG also sent out smaller rigid-hull inflatable boats to get closer to the Chinese ships prowling Rozul Reef's shallow areas and note their bow numbers.

According to the PCG, the irregular movement patterns of the Chinese vessels, along with their anchoring and swarming activities, violate the principles of freedom of navigation and infringe upon the sovereign rights of the Philippines in its EEZ. 

Sightings of China's maritime militia near the reef have become increasingly frequent over the years. In December 2024, the PCG reported that a Chinese military helicopter harassed Filipino fishing vessels at the reef by hovering above them at a low altitude.