NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
More than 100 Illegal Chinese Vessels in West Philippine Sea
Photo credit: PCG
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) recently conducted a seven-day maritime patrol in the West Philippine Sea, in line with President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr.'s directive. The PCG deployed two of its 44-meter vessels, BRP Malapascua (MRRV-4402) and BRP Malabrigo (MRRV-4403), to carry out the mission.
During the patrol, the vessels were able to identify over 100 alleged Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) vessels, a People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy corvette class, and two China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels. The PCG detected 18 CMM vessels near Sabina Shoal, but despite numerous radio challenges to leave the area, the vessels did not respond or comply with the order.
In addition, four CMM vessels engaged in fishing activities were driven away by the PCG vessels from the territorial sea of Pag-asa Island, at a distance of four nautical miles. The PCG vessels also encountered 17 groups of CMM vessels in the vicinity of Julian Felipe Reef, with an estimated total count exceeding 100 vessels. The PCG deployed its Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIB) to disperse the large CMM gathering, but no CMM vessels reacted or vacated the area.
On April 21, 2023, a PLA Navy vessel with bow number 549 crossed paths with the PCG vessels, prompting a confrontation at a distance of 7 nautical miles from Pag-asa Island. The Chinese navy challenged the presence of the PCG vessels over the radio and directed them to leave the area, warning that failure to comply might "cause problems." Despite this, the PCG vessels asserted their rights to carry out operations within the territorial sea of Pag-asa Island and asked the Chinese navy to leave the area instead.
On the morning of April 23, 2023, two CCG vessels intercepted the PCG vessels in the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal. CCG vessel 5201 carried out dangerous maneuvers near BRP Malapascua, maintaining a perilous distance of only 50 yards, while CCG vessel 4202 persistently followed BRP Malabrigo at a distance of 700 yards, closely monitoring its movements.
The PCG has already submitted a report to the National Task Force West Philippine Sea (NTFWPS), highlighting the presence of a Chinese warship, the continued appearance of alleged CMM vessels within the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), as well as the aggressive actions of the CCG against PCG vessels.
During the patrol, the vessels were able to identify over 100 alleged Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) vessels, a People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy corvette class, and two China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels. The PCG detected 18 CMM vessels near Sabina Shoal, but despite numerous radio challenges to leave the area, the vessels did not respond or comply with the order.
In addition, four CMM vessels engaged in fishing activities were driven away by the PCG vessels from the territorial sea of Pag-asa Island, at a distance of four nautical miles. The PCG vessels also encountered 17 groups of CMM vessels in the vicinity of Julian Felipe Reef, with an estimated total count exceeding 100 vessels. The PCG deployed its Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIB) to disperse the large CMM gathering, but no CMM vessels reacted or vacated the area.
On April 21, 2023, a PLA Navy vessel with bow number 549 crossed paths with the PCG vessels, prompting a confrontation at a distance of 7 nautical miles from Pag-asa Island. The Chinese navy challenged the presence of the PCG vessels over the radio and directed them to leave the area, warning that failure to comply might "cause problems." Despite this, the PCG vessels asserted their rights to carry out operations within the territorial sea of Pag-asa Island and asked the Chinese navy to leave the area instead.
On the morning of April 23, 2023, two CCG vessels intercepted the PCG vessels in the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal. CCG vessel 5201 carried out dangerous maneuvers near BRP Malapascua, maintaining a perilous distance of only 50 yards, while CCG vessel 4202 persistently followed BRP Malabrigo at a distance of 700 yards, closely monitoring its movements.
The PCG has already submitted a report to the National Task Force West Philippine Sea (NTFWPS), highlighting the presence of a Chinese warship, the continued appearance of alleged CMM vessels within the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), as well as the aggressive actions of the CCG against PCG vessels.
Apr 28, 2023
