NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
Chinese Maritime Militia Vessels in Pag-asa Island
Photo credit: PCG
The presence of a People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy vessel, a China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel, and more than 40 suspected Chinese Maritime Militia vessels around Pag-asa Island has sparked concern among Philippine officials. The island is located in the Kalayaan Island Group, which is under the jurisdiction of the Philippines but is also claimed by China.
Philippine Coast Guard personnel stationed on Pag-asa Island reported the presence of the Chinese vessels, which were estimated to be within the island's 12-nautical-mile territorial sea.
The PLA Navy vessel and the CCG vessel were observed loitering within the surrounding waters of Pag-asa Island, while the suspected CMM vessels were anchored nearby.
The presence of the vessels within Philippine territory is a clear violation of the country's territorial integrity, according to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award.
The Philippine Coast Guard has vowed to continue its patriotic duty in patrolling the country's waters in the West Philippine Sea, in compliance with the directive of President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr.
"Our gallant men and women of the Philippine Coast Guard will continuously patrol our waters full of courage and determination," said CG Admiral Artemio M Abu. "We, in the PCG, together with our comrades in arms in the Armed Forces of the Philippines, have accepted this challenge on the day we started wearing our uniforms and took our oath to serve our country and people!"
The Philippine government has repeatedly raised concerns over China's aggressive actions in the South China Sea, including the building of artificial islands and the deployment of military assets in the region. The presence of the Chinese vessels around Pag-asa Island is the latest in a series of incidents that have raised tensions between the two countries.
Philippine Coast Guard personnel stationed on Pag-asa Island reported the presence of the Chinese vessels, which were estimated to be within the island's 12-nautical-mile territorial sea.
The PLA Navy vessel and the CCG vessel were observed loitering within the surrounding waters of Pag-asa Island, while the suspected CMM vessels were anchored nearby.
The presence of the vessels within Philippine territory is a clear violation of the country's territorial integrity, according to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award.
The Philippine Coast Guard has vowed to continue its patriotic duty in patrolling the country's waters in the West Philippine Sea, in compliance with the directive of President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr.
"Our gallant men and women of the Philippine Coast Guard will continuously patrol our waters full of courage and determination," said CG Admiral Artemio M Abu. "We, in the PCG, together with our comrades in arms in the Armed Forces of the Philippines, have accepted this challenge on the day we started wearing our uniforms and took our oath to serve our country and people!"
The Philippine government has repeatedly raised concerns over China's aggressive actions in the South China Sea, including the building of artificial islands and the deployment of military assets in the region. The presence of the Chinese vessels around Pag-asa Island is the latest in a series of incidents that have raised tensions between the two countries.
Mar 4, 2023
