The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Saturday pushed a China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel farther from the Zambales coastline amid heightened tensions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
PCG spokesperson for the WPS, Commodore Jay Tarriela, said BRP Cape San Agustin (MRRV-4408) maneuvered through rough seas with waves reaching up to three meters to drive away CCG-3303 to about 135 nautical miles off the Zambales coast.
Tarriela shared a video showing a PCG crew member issuing a radio challenge to the Chinese vessel as part of the enforcement action.
Aside from CCG-3303, two more Chinese vessels—CCG-3305 and CCG-3502—were detected on radar loitering and conducting what Tarriela described as “unlawful patrols” near Bajo de Masinloc, a traditional fishing ground within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Tarriela said the BRP Cape San Agustin has taken over monitoring duties after BRP Cabra returned to port.
“The Philippine Coast Guard remains steadfast in asserting the Philippines’ sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction over the West Philippine Sea, in full accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, and the 2016 Arbitral Award,” Tarriela said.
Meanwhile, PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan emphasized that despite limited assets and hazardous conditions at sea, the Coast Guard will “never back down” in defending the country’s maritime interests—echoing the firm directives of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal, lies 124 nautical miles off Masinloc town in Zambales and sits well within the Philippines’ 200-nautical-mile EEZ under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
China, however, continues to claim “indisputable sovereignty” over the shoal.
National Security Adviser Eduardo Año has repeatedly rejected Beijing’s assertions, stressing they have no basis in international law.