THE Philippine Navy has deployed more vessels in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) amid China's threat to arrest "trespassers" in the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal).

Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad, spokesman for the West Philippine Sea, said Tuesday that maritime patrols inside the country's exclusive economic zone have been increased to protect Philippine sovereign rights.

"Overall, patrols have been increased in the entire WPS, to include Bajo de Masinloc and our Northern Islands," Trinidad said.

Chinese presence in the entire WPS dropped last week from 154 to 122 ships deployed in at least eight areas, but most of the vessels were seen in the Sabina Shoal and near Pag-asa Island.

At least 34 Chinese militia vessels, a People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy ship and Chinese Coast Guard boats were spotted near Pag-asa Island.

Meanwhile, 30 militia vessels, four PLA ships and two Chinese coast guard boats were seen around the Sabina Shoal.

China had threatened to impose its new policy to detain Filipinos entering Bajo de Masinloc from May 1 until September 16, which Philippine authorities had vehemently opposed.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said that China's actions constitute "a provocation and a violation to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea" to which Beijing is a signatory.

On the other hand, Trinidad said that Philippine Navy patrols had increased in response to China's ban on Filipino fishers in Bajo de Masinloc.

"The Philippine Navy does not recognize this provocative statement and will not be deterred from performing our mandate of securing the welfare of Filipinos wherever they may be — on land or in the sea," Trinidad said.

Also, Trinidad said they will check the mysterious presence of an undersea pipe installation in the Bajo de Masinloc area.

"We checked, and we're still trying to find out other corroborating reports on that matter," Trinidad said.

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