Manila, Jan. 27 -- A total of 55 assorted Chinese naval, coast guard and maritime militia vessels were detected in four key features of the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on Jan. 18 to 25, a ranking Philippine Navy (PN) official said on Tuesday.

The 55 ships are broken down into five People's Liberation Army (PLAN) warships, 10 China Coast Guard (CCG) ships, and 40 Chinese Maritime Militia Vessels (CMMVs), PN spokesperson for the WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said during a media briefing at Camp Aguinald in Quezon City.

These ships were located in Bajo de Masinloc, Ayungin, and Escoda Shoals, and Pag-asa Island.

Trinidad said 13 were spotted in Bajo de Masinloc -- four PLAN warships, four CCG vessels and five CMMVs craft.

Three CCG...