(Scarborough) Shoal off the coast of Zambales last week have remained in the area based on an aerial monitoring over the shoal, according to an official.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said it is possible that China is pushing through with its plan to conduct reclamation in the shoal, which a UN-backed arbitral court has declared a common fishing area.

Lorenzana reported the presence of the Chinese ships on Panatag Shoal to President Duterte last week.

“Actually, there are 10 ships, four Coast Guard, four barges and two other manned vessels,” Lorenzana told reporters on Monday night here.

“What is suspicious is they have drums, things that appear to be containers,” he added.

One of the vessels, which looked like a trawler, is anchored at the entrance of the shoal.
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2016/09/07/1621267/10-chinese-ships-spotted-panatag