Chinese ship issues radio challenge to PH vessels in West PH Sea

China Coast Guard’s 3301 off Zambales. Photo from the Philippine Coast Guard

[Updated May 27, 2025, 4:27 p.m.]

ABOARD T/S FELIX OCA, West Philippine Sea — The China Coast Guard (CCG) on Tuesday issued a radio challenge to a Philippine civilian ship and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels en route to Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea.

“According to China’s domestic law and international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, China has [indisputable] sovereignty over islands in the South China Sea and adjacent waters. The so-called South China Sea arbitration is illegal. China neither accepts nor recognizes this,” the CCG said.

Minutes later, the PCG responded to this, asserting its rights within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

“In accordance with Republic Act 12064, the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, of which you are a signatory state, and the 2016 arbitral award, you do not possess any legal authority to patrol within the Philippine exclusive economic zone. You are directed to depart immediately and notify us of your attention,” the PCG said, as heard on the radio of training ship (T/S) Felix Oca.

Two PCG vessels were behind the civilian ship T/S Felix Oca to ensure the safety of Atin Ito Coalition volunteers en route to Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea for their third mission.

Earlier, Captain Jorge Dela Cruz of the T/S Felix Oca reported sighting CCG vessels — 3306 and 21549 — 6 and 8 nautical miles from the civilian ship.

READ: Chinese vessel spotted near PH civilian ship carrying volunteers

READ: ‘We will proceed:’ Atin Ito unfazed by looming China radio threat

The civilian ship is expected to arrive near Pag-asa Island on Wednesday morning, May 28.

Since January, Philippine authorities have been monitoring the movements of CCG vessels “unlawfully operating” within the country’s exclusive economic zone.

Beijing’s ongoing aggression is rooted in its broad claim of sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea, including much of the West Philippine Sea, and its continued rejection of the 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated its claims and favored Manila./mcm/abc/mc