Another China Coast Guard (CCG) ship was observed within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ), off the coast of Zambales, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported on Thursday.
Commodore Jay Tarriela, spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS), said CCG vessel 3301 was detected approximately 105 to 110 nautical miles from Zambales’ shoreline.
The PCG’s largest vessel, BRP Teresa Magbanua, was deployed to assert the Philippines’ sovereign rights in response to the unlawful presence of the Chinese vessel, he added.
“The PCG has actively communicated with the CCG vessel via radio, clearly indicating that its presence constitutes a violation of the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and the 2016 Arbitral Award,” Tarriela further disclosed.
“Despite challenging sea conditions, with wave heights reaching two to four meters, the BRP Teresa Magbanua has remained steadfast in its mission for over a week,” he noted.
Tarriela assured tha the PCG is dedicated to protecting the country’s maritime rights, ensuring the safety of Filipino fishers, upholding international law, and easing the tensions in the WPS.
Tensions persist as Beijing claims nearly the entire South China Sea, a vital trade route worth over $3 trillion annually, overlapping with areas claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei.