Chinese ship blocks Phl Coast Guard near Panatag Shoal

A Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel was “dangerously blocked” by a Chinese vessel off Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, while another Chinese research ship, Zhong Shan Da Xue, suspected of conducting marine surveys near Batanes last week, was again spotted on 16 April 2025 off the Zambales coast.

Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS), said the BRP Cabra “is actively patrolling off the coast of Zambales to thwart attempts” by the China Coast Guard (CCG) illegally patrolling within the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

“Despite the BRP Cabra being smaller in length compared to the Chinese Coast Guard vessels, PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan asserts that international law empowers our vessel to operate without intimidation. This confidence allows the BRP Cabra to challenge the China Coast Guard, thereby exposing their unruly behavior and bullying tactics to the international community,” Tarriela told reporters.

He stressed that the PCG’s ongoing maritime patrols are aligned with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the 2016 Arbitral Award, and the Philippine Maritime Zones Act.

According to Tarriela, the CCG vessel 21612 again made dangerous maneuvers against the BRP Cabra while navigating 67 kilometers west of Panatag.

“Yesterday, during an engagement with CCG-21612 in the vicinity of 132.97 WSW off Capon Grande, Zambales, or approximately 36.35 S off BDM, the Chinese Coast Guard increased its speed and maneuvered past the port side of the BRP Cabra, dangerously blocking its navigation route,” Tarriela said.

He lamented that the CCG’s action was a clear violation of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS) and “reflects a blatant disregard for safety at sea.”

“While coast guards are typically recognized as enforcers of maritime safety and humanitarian organizations, the actions of the People's Republic of China diverge from these norms. Their illegal patrols jeopardize the lives of fishermen and legitimate law enforcement agencies alike,” he added.

Meanwhile, the PCG deployed its Islander 4177 aircraft to monitor and challenge the Chinese research vessel Zhong Shan Da Xue, which was illegally sailing about 78.21 nautical miles northeast of Itbayat, Batanes.

“The crew of the PCG Islander attempted to establish radio communication with the vessel multiple times, but there was no response,” Tarriela said.

He also criticized the research ship for conducting marine scientific research within the Philippine EEZ without permission.

The vessel first entered the Philippine EEZ on 2 April off Batanes and remained in the area until it left on 8 April.