The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Sunday reported the presence of three China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels in waters off Zambales.
In a statement, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Commodore Jay Tarriela identified the Chinese vessels as CCG-21562, CCG-3305, and CCG-4305.
Tarriela said the PCG’s BRP Cabra continues to actively challenge and block the advance of CCG-21562 while monitoring CCG-3305 and CCG-4305 via radar.
According to him, BRP Cabra has maintained a protective buffer of 85 to 100 nautical miles between the Chinese ships and the outer boundary of the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
He stressed that the Chinese presence constitutes an illegal incursion into Philippine sovereign waters and violates the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the 2016 arbitral ruling.
“The PCG remains steadfast in defending our sovereign rights and maritime jurisdiction. The PCG will not tolerate any attempt to unilaterally alter the status quo along the Luzon coastline through encroachment,” Tarriela said.
“BRP Cabra’s sustained presence demonstrates our resolute commitment to upholding international law while pursuing peaceful and rules-based solutions,” he added.
In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines, stating that China’s claims in the South China Sea have “no legal basis.”
