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PH domain awareness flight detects Chinese vessels in Bajo de Masinloc

  • Writer: Balitang Marino
    Balitang Marino
  • 4 hours ago
  • 2 min read

MANILA, January 21 ------ The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said it recently conducted a routine Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) flight over the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc, where it detected presence of several Chinese vessels and a responded to a radio challenge from a People's Liberation Army Navy ship.


The PCG said its aircraft saw two China Coast Guard vessels during the operation: one positioned approximately 84.6 nautical miles west of Capones Island, and another was located 7.8 nautical miles southeast of Bajo de Masinloc. Two PLA Navy warships near Bajo De Masinloc were also detected, with hull numbers 553 and 909.


The PCG said over five vessels, seemingly Chinese maritime militia, were seen at distances ranging from 6.16 to 11.82 nautical miles from Bajo de Masinloc. The PLA Navy with hull number 553 issued multiple radio challenges to the PCG aircraft, which the latter responded professionally according to the agency. "The PCG aircrew responded professionally, asserting that the MDA flight was fully compliant with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the 2016 Arbitral Award, and the Philippine Maritime Zones Act. These legal instruments affirm the Philippines’ sovereignty, sovereign rights, and maritime jurisdiction over the West Philippine Sea," the PCG said. "The crew further emphasized the Philippines’ lawful authority to conduct MDA operations within its maritime zones and reminded the PLAN warship that China, as a signatory to UNCLOS, had no legal basis to interfere with legitimate Philippine activities."


The PCG added its aerial patrol highlights its unwavering resolve to protect Filipino fishermen and the Philippines' marine resources. The PCG earlier said it saw a "significant change" in the security situation in the West Philippine Sea in 2025 compared to 2024, citing wider and more aggressive deployment of Chinese vessels, and a corresponding increase in Philippine patrol operations.


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