50 Chinese ships swarm in PH waters

June 20 ------ THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) confirmed the presence of more than 50 Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) vessels swarming near Rozul Reef, a feature well within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the West Philippine Sea.

Commo. Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesman for West Philippine Sea concerns, said two PCG vessels and a surveillance aircraft were dispatched to the area, located about 130 nautical miles off Palawan, after they received intelligence reports of suspected illegal activity. Upon arrival, the PCG verified that dozens of Chinese vessels were either scattered or clustered together in the vicinity of the reef.

Tarriela said PCG personnel immediately challenged the vessels over radio, informing them that they were operating in Philippine waters and urging them to leave. The PCG cited the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 Arbitral Award, which affirmed the Philippines' sovereign rights over its EEZ and declared China's expansive maritime claims in the region invalid.

The Chinese vessels were instructed to clarify their presence, stop swarming and navigate in accordance with international and domestic laws. However, PCG officials said no response was received from the CMM vessels. To gather further evidence, the PCG deployed rigid hull inflatable boats to get close to the militia vessels and document their bow numbers, particularly those anchored in the shallow parts of the reef.

The PCG said it will continue to patrol and monitor Philippine waters to deter unauthorized incursions and enforce maritime law. The agency emphasized that its actions are in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s directive to assert the country's territorial rights through peaceful and rules-based means. Rozul Reef, also known as Iroquois Reef, has been the site of repeated sightings of Chinese militia vessels, whose presence Manila considers a threat to regional stability and Philippine sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea.

In a related operation, the PCG and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) successfully completed a three-day floating aggregate device (FAD) Laying Operation in Hasa Hasa and Kanduli Shoals, also within the Philippine EEZ. The initiative is part of the government's Kadiwa para sa Bagong Bayaning Mangingisda program, aimed at strengthening food security and supporting the livelihood of Filipino fishermen. Twenty FADs were strategically deployed in coordination with local fisherfolk who identified the most viable fishing zones.

PCG commandant Adm. Ronnie Gil Gavan deployed three 44-meter multirole response vessels, while BFAR Director Elizer Salilig sent the PCG-manned BFAR 5001 and MV Mamalakaya to support the mission. However, the deployment faced obstruction from four China Coast Guard vessels, which attempted to interfere through aggressive maneuvers and radio challenges. PCG personnel maintained their positions and completed the mission despite the provocation.

Government officials said the operation not only supports food production and fisherfolk welfare, but also reinforces the Philippines' sovereign rights under international law. The deployment sends a clear signal that the country will not be deterred by coercion or intimidation in asserting its maritime entitlements. "The Philippines will continue to act — decisively, peacefully and lawfully — to defend its territorial rights and uphold a future where Filipino fishermen are protected, empowered and free to prosper in their rightful seas," the PCG said in a statement.

Source: manilatimes.net