A Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel was spotted “cruising” along the western shoreline of Luzon, first detected near Manila Bay on Thursday morning, and, later the same day, seen again navigating waters off the coast of Zambales province.
The ship that was able to travel some 92 kilometers within close proximity to the Philippine mainland was identified as CCG vessel 3301, a 3,980-ton Shucha II-class vessel.
“China’s intrusive patrols continue with China Coast Guard 3301 cruising outside Manila Bay this morning,” former United States Air Force official and Defense Attaché Ray Powell said on X.
Powell, who is also the program head of Stanford University’s Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation, said the vessel was spotted about 95 nautical miles from the mouth of Manila Bay at 7:21am on Thursday.
Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson on the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela confirmed via an online post that CCG 3301 was detected again approximately 62.08 nautical miles west of Capones Island in Zambales, sailing at a speed of approximately nine knots
He said the foreign vessel was monitored to have departed Bajo de Masinloc on July 21, and sailed towards El Nido, Palawan, where it joined another CCG vessel, the Zhaotim-class CCG 3105.
CCG 3301 has been in the West Philippine Sea since July 22, and was last spotted near El Nido, Palawan, the PCG confirmed.
Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino called for transparency in the Philippines-China Ayungin Shoal resupply deal.
He urged the Department of Foreign Affairs to reveal to the public the contents of the provisional agreement recently announced between the Philippines and China for resupply missions to BRP Sierra Madre on Ayungin Shoal.
“I take this opportunity to appeal to DFA Secretary Manalo to publicly disclose the contents of the provisional agreement signed between the Philippines and China,” he said.
Tolentino, who also chairs the Special Committee on Philippine Maritime and Admiralty Zones, said while the deal can potentially help de-escalate tensions, the government must also ensure the country’s sovereignty is not compromised.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “CCG ship makes intrusive patrol near Manila Bay”
