WPS: PCG radio challenge affects China’s ‘way of thinking’ – exec

By: - Reporter / @FArgosinoINQ
/ 12:02 PM January 20, 2025

PH shoal situation: ‘Monster’ out, smaller Sino vessel in

Commodore Jay Tarriela, spokesperson of the Philippine Coast Guard for the West Philippine Sea, speaks to the members of the media during a news forum in Quezon City on May 4, 2024. —File photo by Arnel Tacson | INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said its radio challenge against China’s monster ship in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) “agitates” and affects the Asian superpower’s “way of thinking.”

PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said they have been monitoring the movement of China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel 5901 within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone for about two weeks now.

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In an interview, Tarriela was asked if the PCG’s radio challenge had any effect on China’s behavior.

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“The mere fact that the China Coast Guard responds to our radio challenge, and they say, like what’s been shown in videos released, that they are not recognizing the arbitral award; they think that we are the ones who have an illegal claim, it means it also agitates them every time they hear our radio challenge,” Tarriela said in mixed Filipino and English over Radyo 630.

READ: WPS: Deadlines, ultimatums vs China ‘monster ship’ beyond PCG mandate – Tarriela

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“We are highlighting that the China Coast Guard is inside the Philippines’ EEZ. The CCG does not have the authority to conduct maritime patrols. It is violating the Maritime Zones Act, the UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea), and the 2016 arbitral award. This is the content of our radio challenge. Definitely it affects their way of thinking,” he added.

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But is a radio challenge effective in stopping China deploying troops in the WPS?
“No,” Tarriela admitted.

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READ: China’s ‘monster ship’ keeps ignoring PH call to leave WPS

Still, he stood firm that the content of PCG’s radio challenge on CCG is “very powerful” and enough to make China “realize that what they are doing is illegal and violates the law.”

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“We are showing that the Philippines is adhering to the international law and the CCG remains to be a bully and blatantly violating the international law,” he added.

On Sunday, Tarriela said imposing a deadline or an ultimatum for China to remove its monster ship near the Zambales coastline is “beyond the mandate” of the PCG.

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Based on PCG’s latest update, China’s monster ship moved away from Zambales shores, while another Chinese vessel approached the area.

For comprehensive coverage, in-depth analysis, visit our special page for West Philippine Sea updates. Stay informed with articles, videos, and expert opinions.

TAGS: China, PCG, West Philippine Sea

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