The Philippine government has denounced the continued presence and activities of Chinese vessels within the country’s territorial waters, particularly in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

In a statement issued on Monday, the National Maritime Council (NMC) confirmed that the country had filed a diplomatic protest against Beijing’s persistent deployment of China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels and Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) ships.

The NMC condemned the Chinese presence in Philippine waters, emphasizing that it constitutes a “clear violation” of the Philippine Maritime Zones Act (Republic Act 12064), international law, the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the 2016 Arbitral Ruling affirming Manila's sovereign rights in its maritime zones, particularly in the WPS.

“The Philippines strongly opposes the continued illegal presence and operations of the CCG vessels, as well as the provocative actions of the PLA-N helicopter, within the country’s maritime zones,” the NMC said. “The Philippine government has been vigilant and unwavering in upholding the country’s sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction within its maritime zones,”

The council warned that the Philippines remains resolute in protecting its territories, underscoring its commitment to safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty and sovereign rights.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has been conducting radio challenges against the Chinese vessels, demanding their immediate departure from Philippine waters. However, the NMC lamented China’s provocations, particularly the deployment of a People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLAN) helicopter, which hovered over a PCG vessel.

“The escalatory actions of these Chinese vessels and aircraft clearly disregard Philippine and international laws, as their actions are inconsistent with the exercise of freedom of navigation and innocent passage as well as the exercise of rights and observance of duties by other States in the Philippines’ EEZ under the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, 1982 UNCLOS, and the 2016 Arbitral Ruling,” the council stated.

The NMC’s statement follows reports of CCG’s largest vessel, 5901, also known as the “monster ship,” which has been sailing within the Philippines’ EEZ, positioned 97 nautical miles off the coast of Zambales since 5 January. Another CCG vessel, 3304, was detected operating in the waters around Bajo de Masinloc, approximately 70–90 nautical miles from Zambales’ coastlines on 10 January.

In response, the PCG deployed vessels and air assets to the areas where Chinese ships were spotted. The Philippine government has also lodged a diplomatic protest to counter China’s latest actions in the region.

The NMC reiterated that the Philippines has sovereign rights and jurisdiction over Bajo de Masinloc’s territorial sea and marine resources located within its EEZ. It further emphasized that China has no jurisdiction or legal grounds to conduct maritime patrols in these waters.

The council called on China to respect Philippine laws, adhere to its international obligations, and cease actions that violate the Philippines’ sovereign rights in its EEZ.