MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has detected two China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels approximately 34 nautical miles off the coast of Pangasinan, raising renewed concerns over the continued presence of foreign vessels within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
PCG spokesman for the West Philippine Sea, Commodore Jay Tarriela, confirmed the sighting, reporting that the vessels were detected through the agency’s Dark Vessel Detection program. In response, PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan ordered the deployment of the PCG Islander aircraft to visually identify and challenge the foreign vessels.
At around 9:30 a.m., the PCG aircraft confirmed the presence of two CCG vessels, identified by bow numbers 3301 and 3104. The PCG promptly issued a radio challenge, asserting the Philippines’ sovereign rights:
“To the China Coast Guard vessel transmitting west: Under Republic Act 12064 and the 2016 Arbitral Award under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), you do not have the authority to patrol within the Philippine EEZ. You are directed to depart immediately and notify us of your intentions as soon as possible.”
Despite the clear directive, the Chinese vessels did not respond. In a show of force, the PCG dispatched two patrol ships, BRP Cabra and BRP Bagacay, to Bolinao, Pangasinan, to reinforce the country’s maritime position against what it describes as illegal and routine incursions by China in Philippine waters.
The PCG reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Philippine maritime interests, aligning with the policy direction of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and upholding international maritime law.
In a separate operation, the PCG’s BRP Teresa Magbanua successfully drove away China Coast Guard vessel CCG-3304 from the Zambales coastline on February 1. However, the vessel was soon replaced by CCG-5901. Despite this, the PCG continues to maintain a strategic distance of 110 to 115 nautical miles from the Zambales coast, ensuring Chinese vessels do not encroach further into Philippine territorial waters.
The PCG has repeatedly condemned the CCG’s actions as illegal under UNCLOS, to which China remains a signatory.