The coast guard said the boats were “dispersed and scattered” in the vicinity of Whitsun Reef, which it says is within its exclusive economic zone.
The Philippines’ Coast Guard said the number of Chinese maritime militia vessels in the area had increased from the 111 they recorded in November.
Friction between the two countries over competing sovereignty claims has increased since Ferdinand Marcos Jr became president last year.
Last week, the Philippines carried out two separate joint air and sea patrols with the US, and with Australia a few days earlier.
The contested waters have also become a naval flashpoint for China-US relations, and in October, US President Joe Biden warned that the US will defend the Philippines in case of any attack.
President Biden’s comments were made days after two collisions between Filipino and Chinese vessels in the waters.
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