The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spotted additional Chinese vessels near Bajo de Masinloc, known internationally as Scarborough Shoal, during a routine maritime domain awareness (MDA) flight on Wednesday.
A warship of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy bearing bow number 553 issued a radio challenge against the PCG’s Cessna Caravan aircraft. The foreign vessel repeatedly issued warnings throughout the Philippines’ approach to Bajo de Masinloc.
PCG pilots responded by reminding the vessel to comply with Philippine domestic laws and international maritime rules. Bajo de Masinloc near Zambales is within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) under relevant laws.
The PCG identified three China Coast Guard (CCG) ships in the vicinity, including one positioned near the northern entrance of the shoal. The agency also monitored three PLA Navy vessels—two destroyers and a replenishment ship, which has reportedly been in the area for almost two months.
In addition, two Chinese maritime militia vessels were sighted.
“This 21562—this is the CCG that is being directly challenged by BRP Cabra, in which nakita niyo naman na ang BRP Cabra is still patrolling off the coast of Zambales to ensure that the CCG will not normalize their illegal patrols within our EEZ,” PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela told reporters in an interview.
“For so many months, simula nang pumangit ang panahon sa Pilipinas (when adverse weather conditions started in the Philippines), this is the first time we have monitored the Chinese maritime militia,” he added.
Beijing also deployed a helicopter, though it did not attempt to close in on the Philippine aircraft.
“One of the PLA Navy, either 162 or 553—has deployed a PLA Navy helicopter to intercept the CG Caravan. Fortunately, before it took off from the PLA Navy warship, pabalik na rin tayo, kaya (we were about to get back, so) it wasn’t able to come close to our location,” Tarriela said.
Aside from the vessels and aircraft, two buoys previously laid by China remain positioned inside and outside the shoal.
Tarriela emphasized the importance of the PCG’s near-daily flights over the West Philippine Sea.
“This is very significant—what we’re doing. The mere fact that our CG pilots and sailors are still being deployed in Bajo de Masinloc and the Kalayaan Island Group… We are standing for what is ours. That is a patriotic duty we are contributing to our national security,” he noted.
