2 senators express alarm over illegal presence of China in PH’s EEZ

/ 04:19 PM January 13, 2025

Two senators on Monday expressed alarm over the illegal presence and continued operations of Chinese Coast Guard vessels within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ), prompting renewed calls for a “comprehensive and proactive response” from the Philippine government.

LATEST SIGHTING The China Coast Guard “Monster” ship on January 5, 2025, was last spotted some 157 kilometers (85 nautical miles) from Zambales province in the West Philippine Sea, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) which took this photo before sunset from one of its vessels, the BRP Cabra. —PHOTO FROM PCG

MANILA, Philippines — Two senators on Monday expressed alarm over the illegal presence and continued operations of Chinese Coast Guard vessels within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ), prompting renewed calls for a “comprehensive and proactive response” from the Philippine government.

Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada and Sen. Risa Hontiveros aired their respective remarks in separate statements. This was issued after China’s biggest coast guard vessel, otherwise known as “The Monster,” returned to the West Philippine Sea (WPS) during the weekend.

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For his part, Estrada said it is crucial that the Philippine government take decisive action now.

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“We need a proactive, united, and sustained approach to protect our rights and ensure the safety and security of our people. The Philippines will not yield to coercion or intimidation when faced with challenges to our sovereignty,” he said.

“Makailang ulit ko ng sinabi, nasa panig natin ang mga legal na batayan para ipaglaban ang ating karapatan. The Arbitral Award, a landmark ruling issued on June 12, 2016, by the Permanent Court of Arbitration, affirmed our claim to sovereign rights in the maritime areas of the West Philippine Sea,” he emphasized.

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(I have said many times, we have the legal grounds to fight for our rights. The Arbitral Award, a landmark ruling issued on June 12, 2016, by the Permanent Court of Arbitration, affirmed our claim to sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea maritime areas.)

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Meanwhile, Hontiveros said it is only right to show China that “no monster ship can scare us.”

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“As I insisted before, Malacañang should start filing new cases before an international court. Beijing’s ships will only keep coming back if we do not take appropriate measures,” said Hontiveros.

“In the meantime, we must work on strengthening alliances with like-minded nations whose Coast Guards can patrol with ours,” she added.

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The Philippine government has filed a diplomatic protest to counter the continued illegal presence and operations of Chinese Coast Guard vessels within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

In a statement on Monday, the National Maritime Council (NMC) aired the Philippines’ objection to the continued illegal presence and activities of Chinese maritime forces and militia within the country’s territorial sea and EEZ.

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According to NMC, these actions are clear violations of Republic Act No. 12064, otherwise known as the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, as well as international laws, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 arbitral ruling.

TAGS: China, Philippines

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