The Philippine Navy has been monitoring the movements of four Chinese Coast Guard vessels, one of which was sighted near Bajo de Masinloc, off the coast of Zambales, RH Edniel Parrosa reports.

According to AFP spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, three of the vessels were last observed about 2 nautical miles from Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, while the fourth was approximately 50 nautical miles west of mainland Luzon.

Trinidad assured that there is no cause for alarm, as the Philippine Navy continues to track the vessels’ northbound movements.

He added that the vessels may be relocating due to typhoon Verbena, which is expected to move from Palawan toward the West Philippine Sea.

The AFP’s Northern Luzon Command reportedly attempted to deploy aircraft to challenge the foreign vessels, but the operation was canceled due to bad weather.

Overall monitoring by the AFP indicates that about 30 Chinese vessels had been observed in the area, including Ayungin Shoal, Pag-asa Island, Escoda Shoal, and Bajo de Masinloc prior to the onset of the storm.