PCG challenges Chinese vessel loitering near Luzon coast

MANILA, June 23 ------ The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has deployed one of its patrol vessels to challenge and drive away a China Coast Guard (CCG) ship that has been loitering off the western coast of Luzon.

In a statement, the PCG said BRP Malabrigo (MRRV-4402) has been conducting maritime patrols since Saturday, June 20, against CCG vessel 5304, which was monitored operating within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ). According to the PCG, personnel aboard BRP Malabrigo repeatedly issued radio challenges to the CCG, but the Chinese vessel did not respond.

The latest monitoring was conducted during a maritime domain awareness (MDA) flight on Monday. The CCG ship was spotted some 45.5 nautical miles west of Iba, Zambales. Authorities said the Chinese vessel has been loitering between 27 and 45 nautical miles west of Luzon since June 16. “Its northernmost track approached as close as 27.29 nautical miles off Burgos, Ilocos Sur, while its southernmost track reached approximately 30.0 nautical miles off Capones Island. As of this evening, the vessel was observed 43.0 nautical miles west of Cabangan, Zambales,” PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela said in a statement. “It is worth noting that the movement pattern indicates that CCG-5304 is likely patrolling along the limits of China’s unlawfully claimed sea areas in the West Philippine Sea, as demarcated by its illegal nine- or ten-dash line—claims that were invalidated by the 2016 Arbitral Award,” he added.

Despite the continued presence of the Chinese vessel, the PCG vowed to maintain its patrols and uphold the country’s maritime rights. “The Philippine Coast Guard remains steadfast in upholding the Philippines’ sovereign rights and jurisdiction within our maritime zones. We will continue to maintain our presence and conduct lawful patrols to ensure the safety of our maritime domain and protect the rights of our Filipino fisherfolk,” Tarriela said.

The PCG also reiterated its commitment to transparency in exposing China’s illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive (ICAD) activities in the West Philippine Sea.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com