PH ship challenges Chinese vessels off Zambales due to illegal presence

A Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) patrol ship challenged Chinese vessels off Zambales province due to their illegal presence in the West Philippine Sea. Photo courtesy of PCG.

MANILA, Philippines — A Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) patrol ship issued a radio challenge to Chinese vessels off Zambales province due to their illegal presence in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), according to the agency’s spokesperson for the WPS.

In a statement on Thursday evening, Commodore Jay Tarriela said PCG’s BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701) continues to monitor the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessels, which exhibit “erratic movements” about 70 to 80 nautical miles from the province’s shore.

“In a demonstration of their commitment to protecting the country’s maritime sovereignty, the crew of the BRP Teresa Magbanua persistently radio challenged the Chinese vessels, informing them that they are operating within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ),” he said.

Tarriela also said the Philippine ship’s crew cited Republic Act 12064 or the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of which China is a signatory, and the 2016 Arbitral Award.

“The crew made it clear that the Chinese vessels do not possess any legal authority to patrol within the Philippines’ EEZ and directed them to depart immediately,” he added.

On January 8, China’s “monster ship” left the coastline of Zambales, but another Chinese vessel, CCG 3103, headed to the area the former vacated.

CCG 3103 then left the area and was replaced by CCG 3304 on Thursday afternoon.

“Despite this change, the objective of the Chinese deployment remains the same: to assert normalization and legitimacy in these waters. The PCG is steadfast in its mission to counteract these efforts and prevent any normalization of illegal deployment of CCG vessels,” the PCG said.

“[T]he PCG will continue to vigilantly monitor the illegal presence of the Chinese Coast Guard while employing a measured response that prioritizes the Philippines’ national interests and aims to avoid escalation,” it added.

Over the weekend, Tarriela confirmed the CCG vessel’s presence about 54 nautical miles off the coast of Capones Island.