PCG spots more Chinese ships near Bajo de Masinloc

MANILA, December 4 ------ Just 50 nautical miles from Zambales, a warship of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy with bow number 553 issued a radio challenge to the Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) Cessna Caravan.

ABS-CBN News was among those who joined the maritime domain awareness (MDA) flight where the incident occurred on Wednesday, December 3. Throughout the PCG aircraft’s approach to Bajo de Masinloc, the Chinese warship repeatedly issued radio challenges.

PCG pilots responded by reminding the vessel to comply with Philippine domestic laws and international maritime rules. “In accordance with Republic Act 12064, the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, of which you are a Party, and the 2016 Arbitral Award, you do not possess any legal authority to operate within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ),” the PCG said in its radio response.

During the flight, more Chinese vessels were spotted in the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal. The PCG identified three China Coast Guard (CCG) ships in the vicinity, including one positioned near the northern entrance of the shoal. The agency also monitored three PLA Navy vessels—two destroyers and a replenishment ship, which has reportedly been in the area for almost two months.

In addition, two Chinese maritime militia vessels were sighted. “This 21562—this is the CCG that is being directly challenged by BRP Cabra, in which nakita niyo naman na ang BRP Cabra is still patrolling off the coast of Zambales to ensure that the CCG will not normalize their illegal patrols within our EEZ,” PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela told reporters in an interview. “For so many months simula nang pumangit ang panahon sa Pilipinas, this is the first time we have monitored the Chinese maritime militia,” he added.

Beijing also deployed a helicopter, though it did not attempt to close in on the Philippine aircraft. “One of the PLA Navy, either 162 or 553—has deployed a PLA Navy helicopter to intercept the CG Caravan. Fortunately, before it took off from the PLA Navy warship, pabalik na rin tayo, kaya it wasn’t able to come close to our location,” Tarriela said. Aside from the vessels and aircraft, two buoys previously laid by China remain positioned inside and outside the shoal.

Tarriela emphasized the importance of the PCG’s near-daily flights over the West Philippine Sea. “This is very significant—what we’re doing. The mere fact that our CG pilots and sailors are still being deployed in Bajo de Masinloc and the Kalayaan Island Group, there is a very important sense na ginagawa tayo dito. Hindi man sila nagrereact—we are standing for what is ours. That is a patriotic duty we are contributing to our national security,” he noted.

The PCG said that aside from aerial patrols, its ships continue to patrol waters within the Philippines’ EEZ.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com