PCG: BRP Cabra successful in driving CCG vessel away

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reaffirmed Sunday its commitment to assert the country’s sovereign and territorial rights in the West Philippine Sea following its successful operations against China’s “unlawful” maritime operations in the country’s waters.

According to the PCG, the BRP Cabra — which was deployed to challenge China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel 3302 — successfully forced the foreign vessel to move away from Philippine territory.

“Significantly, the presence of BRP Cabra has effectively pushed the China Coast Guard vessel further away, now located approximately 92-96 nautical miles off the coast of Capones Island,” the PCG said in a statement.

“This demonstrates the PCG’s commitment to safeguarding Philippine maritime interests and preventing the normalization of unlawful activities by the People’s Republic of China in the West Philippine Sea,” it added.

The PCG said the country’s law enforcement vessel remains steadfast in ensuring foreign vessels are prevented from conducting illegal maritime operations in Philippine waters.

It also reported that CCG vessel 3302 engaged in “reckless and dangerous maneuvers, displaying a blatant disregard for safety.”

“An alarming incident this afternoon involved an attempted head-on collision with the smaller PCG vessel, raising concerns about the China Coast Guard’s adherence to the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (COLREGs), of which they are a signatory,” the PCG said.

“It is only through the seamanship skills and professionalism of the crew of BRP Cabra that such a collision was narrowly averted,” it added.

Despite what it described as “provocative actions,” the PCG said it maintains a “composed and professional approach, prioritizing safety and the prevention of any untoward incidents.”

“PCG commandant, Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, continues to emphasize to the PCG sailors deployed in the West Philippine Sea the importance of asserting Philippine sovereignty and sovereign rights without escalating tensions,” it said.

“This directive aligns with the explicit guidance of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., reinforcing the commitment of the PCG to uphold national interests while maintaining peace in the West Philippine Sea,” it added.

China claims the vast South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea. Recently, confrontations between the Philippine Coast Guard and China Coast Guard and militia vessels have significantly increased.

China’s historic “nine-dash line claim,” however, was rejected by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016 after it favored Manila’s sovereign rights in the area. China has rejected the award, calling it “illegal, null and void.”