A Chinese vessel near Zambales used a long-range acoustic device (LRAD)—capable of emitting high-decibel sounds that can cause pain and hearing damage—to harass a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel patrolling the area.
In a statement issued late Saturday, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Commodore Jay Tarriela, said the BRP Cabra remains steadfast in its mission to prevent China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels from nearing the Zambales coastline.
“Notably, CCG-3103 has replaced CCG-3304 this afternoon to maintain the Chinese illegal patrol, and it appears to be escorted by CCG-5901 or the ‘Chinese monster ship.’ For the first time, CCG-3103 employed an LRAD to harass the Philippine Coast Guard vessel, attempting to deter proximity,” he said.
“Currently, the China Coast Guard has been pushed back to a position between 90 and 95 nautical miles from the shore,” Tarriela added.
The PCG official noted that BRP Cabra conducted hourly radio challenges “to assert that the Chinese presence violates the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and the 2016 Arbitral Award.”
“Despite the harassment and the intimidating presence of the Chinese monster ship, BRP Cabra remains committed to its mission. The Philippine Coast Guard continues to uphold its mandate of safeguarding the nation’s maritime jurisdiction while striving to avoid provocation and escalation,” the agency said.
Beijing’s persistent aggression stems from its claim of sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea, including significant parts of the West Philippine Sea, despite the 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated its claims and upheld Manila’s rights.