PCG drives away China Coast Guard ship off Zambales coast – spox
Metro Manila, Philippines – The Philippine Coast Guard’s largest vessel, BRP Teresa Magbanua, drove a Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) ship away from the Zambales coast on Thursday afternoon, authorities said.
In videos shared by PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Commodore Jay Tarriela, the Chinese Coast Guard vessel CCG-3304 was heard claiming it was patrolling within China’s maritime jurisdiction.
The CCG also asserted that the 2016 arbitral ruling, which declared the area part of the Philippine exclusive economic zone, is illegal and not recognized by Beijing.
In response, BRP Teresa Magbanua cited the newly enacted Philippine Maritime Zones Act, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and the 2016 arbitral ruling as the basis for its maritime law enforcement operation.
“You are advised that you are currently sailing within the Philippine exclusive economic zone approximately 102 nautical miles southwest of Capones point, Zambales, Philippines,” the PCG officer said in a radio challenge.
“You do not possess any legal authority to patrol within the Philippine exclusive economic zone. You are directed to depart immediately and notify us of your intention. Your illegal activity will be reported to higher authorities,” the challenge continued.
Tarriela said it’s a win for the Philippines, which has consistently protested China’s harassment activities in the West Philippine Sea - an area Beijing claims as its own despite the 2016 arbitral ruling in favor of Manila.
“The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel, BRP Teresa Magbanua, has achieved a significant milestone by successfully pushing the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel CCG-3304 further away from the coast of Zambales, now estimated to be at a distance of 100-105 nautical miles,” Tarriela said in a statement.
He added that the PCG continues to monitor three other CCG vessels off Zambales, including the “monster ship” CCG-5901, which is considered the world’s largest coast guard vessel.
