PCG issues radio challenge to China Coast Guard vessel off Zambales coast

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Friday issued a radio challenge against a China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel off the coast of Zambales in the West Philippine Sea.

The PCG on Saturday said CCG vessel 3304 was illegally sailing at approximately 70-80 nautical miles off the coast of Zambales. During the radio challenge, the PCG warned the vessel that it was within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

In a statement, the PCG said its vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701) remains deployed in the vicinity in compliance with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s directive "aimed at thwarting the normalization and legitimization of the Chinese Coast Guard’s illegal actions, which may lead to assertions of control over these waters."

"Moreover, the continued vigilance of BRP Teresa Magbanua serves as a proactive measure to ensure that Filipino fishermen can carry out their activities without the threat of harassment or intimidation," the PCG said.

"The deployment of the PCG’s white ship underscores a commitment to monitoring and maintaining a visible presence to deter illegal activities by the Chinese Coast Guard while adhering to principles of restraint and non-provocation," the PCG added.

On Saturday, January 4, the PCG confirmed the presence of the so-called ''monster ship'' of the CCG (vessel 5901) some 54 nautical miles away from Capones Island, Zambales.

The PCG then dispatched BRP Cabra, a helicopter, and the PCG Caravan, which confirmed at 5 p.m. that the Chinese vessel was in the area.

It also challenged the presence of the CCG by asserting that the vessel was inside the Philippines' EEZ.

On Wednesday, January 8, the PCG said the monster ship departed from the coastline of Zambales. However, the PCG said it has tracked another CCG vessel (3103) heading directly to the previous location of the monster ship.

On Thursday, January 9, the PCG said the BRP Teresa Magbanua issued radio challenges to CCG vessels that were spotted off the Zambales coast. The PCG noted that CCG vessel 3103 was replaced by vessel 3304 in the afternoon.

China claims "indisputable sovereignty" over the entire waters of the South China Sea, where undersea gas deposits have been discovered in several areas. Its claims overlap with the offshore territories claimed by Asian neighbors surrounding the South China Sea.

In 2016, the Philippines scored a victory  against China in a landmark ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration. The PCA ruled that "there was no legal basis for China to claim historic rights to resources within the sea areas falling within the nine-dash line."

"[Although] two Chinese navigators and fishermen, as well as those of other States, had historically made use of the islands in the South China Sea, there was no evidence that China had historically exercised exclusive control over the waters or  their  resources," it added.

China has repeatedly said the PCA ruling is "illegal" and "invalid".

Marcos has stood his ground that the West Philippine Sea belongs to the Filipinos amid China's aggression in the resource-rich region.

West Philippine Sea is the name the Philippines uses to refer to portions of the South China Sea that falls within its exclusive economic zone and its jurisdiction. —KG, GMA Integrated News