MANILA, March 5 -- The situation in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) is "not normal" anymore due to China's continued aggression, a ranking naval official said Tuesday.

In a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, Philippine Navy (PN) spokesperson for the WPS Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad said they are unfazed by the "clear and present challenge" posed by Beijing's actions, especially its constant attempts to impede Manila's missions to resupply its outposts in these waters.

Trinidad said the PN has long been conducting maritime patrols in the area and this was only challenged when China started erecting markers on Philippine-held shoals and features in 1992.

"If we look at the historical context of it, from 1992 when they started...