Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Commodore Jay Tarriela, on Thursday reported an increased presence of Chinese maritime forces, including warships, around Bajo de Masinloc in 2025 compared with 2024.

In a statement, Tarriela noted that China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels were also operating progressively closer to the Luzon coastline.

“In our annual report, we noted a higher number of Chinese maritime forces—including the [People’s Liberation Army Navy], China Coast Guard (CCG), and Chinese Maritime Militia—in Bajo de Masinloc last year,” Tarriela said.

“In addition to this overall increase, CCG vessels conducting illegal patrols have been operating progressively closer to the Luzon coast, from Ilocos down to Mindoro,” he added.

The closest recorded approach, according to Tarriela, was on 8 April 2025, when a CCG vessel reached 23 nautical miles from the coast off Dasol, Pangasinan.

This marked a shift from 2024, when CCG vessels primarily operated within a 10- to 15-nautical-mile radius of Bajo de Masinloc, Tarriela said.

“As a direct consequence, Filipino fishermen have been displaced farther from BDM, as CCG vessels have aggressively driven them toward the Luzon coast and away from their traditional fishing grounds,” Tarriela said.

He added that the PCG significantly extended its presence in the area.

“On average, PCG vessels spent nearly 27 days per month at sea in the vicinity of BDM, maintaining a sustained presence to prevent the normalization of illegal CCG activities and to protect Filipino fishermen,” Tarriela said.

Bajo de Masinloc is located 124 nautical miles off Masinloc, Zambales, and lies within the Philippines’ 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).