Filtered by: Topstories
News

BRP Teresa Magbanua deployed to monitor Chinese vessels in WPS —PCG


BRP Teresa Magbanua deployed to monitor Chinese vessels in WPS —PCG

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has replaced BRP Cabra with its largest vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua for the monitoring of Chinese vessels including the “monster ship” in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

In a statement Tuesday evening, PCG spokesperson for WPS Commodore Jay Tarriela said BRP Cabra had to transport the body of a fisherman who died in the waters off Silanguin Island, Zambales Monday.

“This morning, the Philippine Coast Guard's 44-meter vessel, BRP Cabra, arrived at Subic Port to unload the cadaver of a fisherman recovered yesterday,” Tarriela said. 

“The vessel's departure from an area where the Chinese Coast Guard has been illegally present prompted Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan to deploy the PCG's 97-meter vessel, BRP Teresa Magbanua,” he added. 

According to Tarriela, at least four Chinese vessels were monitored: 

  • Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel 3304 - 82 to 88 nautical miles from Zambales
  • CCG 5901. also known as the monster ship - around 99.37 nautical miles from Zambales in the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc
  • CCG 3502 - around 131.70 nautical miles from Zambales in the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc
  • CCG 3103 - around 133.97 nautical miles from Zambales in the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc

Tarriela said BRP Teresa Magbanua is actively challenging these Chinese vessels off the coast of Zambales. 

“The PCG is committed to ensuring the safety of our fishermen, safeguarding our maritime jurisdiction, enforcing international law, and preventing escalation of tensions,” he said.

On Monday, a CCG 3304 allegedly hindered BRP Cabra from recovering the body of a deceased fisherman in the Silanguin Island waters.

The PCG identified the deceased fisherman as 58-year-old Elpidio Lamban, a resident of Subic, Zambales.

Lamban experienced difficulty breathing and blood vomiting during their fishing operation, according to the PCG. 

Tensions continue as Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual shipborne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had "no legal basis."

China refused to recognize the decision.—AOL, GMA Integrated News