PCG issues radio challenges to latest Chinese vessels off Zambales

The Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) BRP Teresa Magbanua issued radio challenges to China Coast Guard vessels that were spotted off the Zambales coast.

In a statement on Thursday, PCG said Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessels were spotted 70 to 80 nautical miles from the shore of Zambales and exhibited "erratic movements."

“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),” PCG said.

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

PCG noted that CCG vessel 3103 was replaced by vessel 3304 in the 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 Coast Guard said.

PCG earlier said CCG vessel 5901, the so-called “monster ship,” departed from the Zambales coast after it was spotted in the area last January 4. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News