Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) lead ship BRP Teresa Magbanua will remain deployed off the coast of Zambales to deter the China Coast Guard’s (CCG) illegal presence in the area.

In a statement on Saturday, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said a CCG vessel with bow number “3304” was spotted illegally sailing approximately 70 to 80 nautical miles off the coast of Zambales.

The BRP Teresa Magbanua’s presence, he said, is in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s policy direction to thwart the “normalization and legitimization of the CCG’s illegal actions, which may lead to assertions of control over Philippine waters.”

“The continued vigilance of the 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,” Tarriela 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 China Coast Guard while adhering to the principles of restraint and non-provocation,” he added.

Switch guards

On Wednesday, the PCG reported sighting CCG vessel “3103” heading to Zambales to replace CCG-5901, dubbed China’s monster ship, after its five-day incursion into Philippine waters.

CCG vessel “3304” eventually replaced vessel “3103,” Tarriela said.

The PCG has continued to guard the country’s waters against Chinese vessels off the Zambales coast.

Tarriela shared photos and a video taken on 9 January showing PCG personnel radio challenging the intruding CCG vessel 3304 which had been “illegally sailing” off the coast of Zambales.

“You are advised that you are sailing within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone approximately 74 nautical miles west of Capones, Zambales,” the PCG radioed the Chinese Coast Guard vessel.

The PCG cited Republic Act 12064 or the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and the 2016 arbitral award which questioned the legality of their presence in Philippine waters.

“You do not possess any legal authority to patrol within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. You are directed to depart immediately and notify us of your intention,” the PCG warned.

In 2024, Manila and Beijing engaged in multiple skirmishes in the disputed waters of the South China Sea and the West Philippine Sea.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has maintained a peaceful and diplomatic stand in these situations, stressing that “the Philippines does not escalate tensions.”

He also deferred the deployment of Navy warships in the West Philippine Sea as the country is not at war.

In November 2024, Marcos signed two measures defining the country’s entitlements in its maritime zones and archipelagic sea lanes.

These laws are seen to give more teeth to the country’s legal rights and territorial claim over the resource-rich West Philippine Sea.