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Friday, January 17, 2025

NSC adopts ‘zero tolerance’ policy against China’s illegal presence in Zambales

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A senior official from the National Security Council (NSC) stated Tuesday that the country will not tolerate the illegal activities of Chinese maritime forces within its territorial waters, particularly in Zambales, which is the nearest landmass from Bajo de Masinloc (Panatag Shoal).

“Let me just clarify that we are not tolerating their (China’s) presence. In fact, we’re challenging them every single day,” said NSC Assistant Director Jonathan Malaya said during a National Task Force-West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) briefing.

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“Right now, we have two Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels shadowing them, closely monitoring them. We have sent assets also from our forces and from the PCG aerial assets to continue monitoring them,” he added.

Malaya gave this response when asked how long the Philippines will tolerate the actions of China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels, including the so-called “monster ship” (CCG 5901), which continue to operate illegally within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).  

The CCG 5901, nicknamed ‘The Monster’ due to its massive size of 12,000 tons, has repeatedly entered Philippine waters since January 4.  

Malaya also emphasized that the government’s maritime domain awareness efforts are focused on detecting these illegal activities by the CCG.  

When questioned about potential measures the Philippines could take against these incursions, the NSC official highlighted the role of the National Maritime Council (NMC).

“The NMC issued a statement yesterday (Monday) asking the Chinese government to withdraw this monster ship because it is clearly an illegal presence in our waters,” Malaya said, noting that the purpose of the CCG vessels was to intimidate Filipino fishermen in the area.

“We can clearly state that the intimidation tactics are not successful and that we remain resolved to support our Filipino fishermen. And we will not stop challenging their presence within Philippine waters,” the NSC official added.

Malaya underscored that the presence of the ‘monster ship’ in Philippine waters is illegal and inconsistent with the exercise of freedom of navigation and innocent passage.

“It is clearly a provocative act. It is also a clear attempt to intimidate our fishermen and deprive them of their legitimate livelihood,” he said. “I think they are underestimating the resolve of the Philippine government to support our Filipino fishermen.”

Malaya reiterated the Philippine government’s position against maritime incursion, consistent with the marching order of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. not to yield even a square inch of our territory.

“As a nation unified in securing what is rightfully and legally ours, we do not and will not dignify these scare tactics by backing down. We do not waver or cower in the face of intimidation. On the contrary, it strengthens our resolve because we know we are in the right,” Malaya said.

“We wish to reiterate the legitimacy and effectivity of the 2016 Arbitral Award and the Philippine Maritime Zones Act. It remains unquestionable and irrefutable,” the NSC official stressed. 

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