The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Sunday it has deployed BRP Bagacay to monitor the unauthorized presence of Chinese ships off the coast of Zambales, as BRP Cabra returned to port “logistical reasons after a week-long deployment at sea.”
This developed as the China Coast Guard (CCG) also rotated its vessels in the area with CCG-5303 replaced by CCG-3105, according to the PCG. The foreign ships were illegally patroling the waters near Bajo de Masinloc, which is under the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
“The BRP Bagacay, a 44-meter patrol vessel, has successfully pushed the CCG 3105 further away, establishing a distance of approximately 95 nautical miles off the coast of Zambales,” the PCG added in its report.
On February 12, the PCG observed an increase in Chinese vessels in the area, including four ships, one of which was the massive Chinese Coast Guard vessel 5901, often referred to as the “monster ship.”
Since January, the PCG has been tracking the movements of CCG vessels operating unlawfully within the Philippines’ EEZ and near Zambales.
Ray Powell, a US-based maritime security expert and director of the SeaLight project at Stanford University, noted that satellite imagery revealed up to 12 Chinese Coast Guard and militia ships near Panatag Shoal.
He described the BRP Cabra’s presence in the area as a “David vs. Goliath” situation, emphasizing the importance of asserting the Philippines’ sovereignty and its right to freedom of navigation within its EEZ.
Powell added that on Sunday, three of six CCG vessels moved south toward Palawan, conducting an “intrusive patrol” at a distance of just 64 kilometers (35 nautical miles) from the coast.
SeaLight characterized these patrols as a key component of China’s strategy to reinforce its sweeping maritime claims in disputed waters.
Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Panatag Shoal, lies 222 kilometers (120 nautical miles) west of Luzon, well within the Philippines’ 200-nautical mile EEZ.