PCG aircraft on Scarborough patrol challenged by Chinese navy ship

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Tuesday reported that one of its aircraft, while on routine patrol near Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea was repeatedly challenged by a Chinese navy vessel.

The PCG said it conducted a Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) flight over waters within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone when its aircraft detected several Chinese vessels operating in the area without authorization.

According to the PCG, the patrol aircraft crew spotted two China Coast Guard vessels — one with no visible bow number about 157 kilometers west of Capones Island, and another about 14 kilometers southeast of the shoal.

The shoal, locally known as Bajo de Masinloc, lies about 229 kilometers west of Zambales, within the Philippines’ 370-kiloemter exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

It is a traditional fishing ground for Filipino fisherfolk.

The aircraft crew also monitored two People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) warships, with hull numbers 553 and 909, near the southeastern portion of the shoal, as well as five vessels believed to be part of China’s maritime militia between 11 to 22 kiloemters from Bajo de Masinloc.

During the flight, the PCG said the PLAN warship with hull number 553 issued several radio challenges to the coast guard’s Islander aircraft.

The PCG aircrew responded that the patrol was being conducted in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea, and the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, the agency said. 

The crew asserted that the Philippines had the right to conduct maritime and aerial operations within its maritime zones, the PCG added.

China has repeatedly rejected the 2016 arbitral ruling and continues to maintain a constant presence around Bajo de Masinloc.

The PCG said the patrol was part of its continuing efforts to monitor activities in the West Philippine Sea to safeguard Filipino fishermen and marine resources, and document the presence of foreign vessels in the area.

The PCG added that it would continue to carry out what it described as transparent and peaceful operations in the West Philippine Sea despite radio challenges or other actions by foreign forces. /gsg