THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) station in Zambales is under scrutiny for its failure to inspect a dredging vessel that residents alleged to be a China Coast Guard (CCG) ship, identified as vessel 21543.
Commander Euphraim Jayson Diciano, head of the PCG Zambales station, clarified that the only vessel in the area when their team arrived on Tuesday was the MV An Da Kang 3689, a dredger operated by China Harbour Engineering Co.
Residents of San Felipe claimed that PCG personnel were in the vicinity a day earlier but did not inspect the suspected CCG vessel, which reportedly left unexamined. A marine tracker flagged the presence of the CCG vessel on Monday, triggering concerns among locals opposed to ongoing dredging activities in the province.
Diciano, however, dismissed the claim, stating that when PCG attempted to track vessel 21543, it was located in Guangzhou, China, on Wednesday. “This ship is now in Africa, suddenly appeared in Zambales, then in Ningbo, China. Now it’s in South Africa. The AIS (Automatic Identification System) of this ship has [a] problem,” Diciano said.
The PCG inspected MV An Da Kang 3689 on Tuesday evening, facilitated by the BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701). Six Chinese crew members onboard were found to have valid licenses, and no irregularities were identified. The vessel was cleared to proceed to Manila.
However, Diciano noted An Da Kang 3689 had previously displayed suspicious behavior, including deactivating its AIS, deviating from routes, and conducting maneuvers near sensitive American military installations in Northern Luzon.
Growing Opposition to Zambales Dredging Activities
Calls to suspend dredging in Zambales have intensified following Senator Risa Hontiveros’ privileged speech on Monday, which raised alarms about potential Chinese espionage disguised as dredging.
Lawyer Chel Diokno, Akbayan Party-list’s first nominee, strongly condemned the dredging operations in Sto. Tomas River, citing environmental destruction, threats to national sovereignty, and alleged corruption. “The destruction of Zambales’ coastline is not just an environmental catastrophe—it is a betrayal of the Filipino people,” Diokno said.
He further criticized weak regulatory oversight, adding that communities’ lives, livelihoods, and natural heritage are being sacrificed for questionable operations.
The PCG also noted erratic vessel behavior in the West Philippine Sea and Babuyan Channel, emphasizing the need for vigilance amid heightened territorial tensions.
This issue underscores broader concerns over environmental degradation, national security, and accountability in foreign-led projects within Philippine waters.