3 China Coast Guard ships spotted near El Nido, Palawan

Three China Coast Guard ships were spotted just 35 nautical miles or 65 kilometers off El Nido, Palawan on Sunday morning, which a former US defense attaché described as “concerning” and a “show of strength” as China continues to assert its claim on Philippine territory.

According to maritime security expert Raymond Powell, the Chinese ships came from Scarborough Shoal and made their way down to El Nido early Sunday morning, just on the edge of China's so-called nine-dash line, which has been invalidated by the Permanent Court of Arbitration.

“Usually, they go sort of one or maybe two at a time, so taking three ships is sending a particular message of strength,” Powell said in a report on GMA’s “24 Oras Weekend” on Sunday.

1/SHOW OF FORCE: Three ????????#China Coast Guard ships moved south from Scarborough Shoal to conduct an intrusive patrol within 35nm of northern Palawan, ????????#Philippines today. [????1/2] pic.twitter.com/YRZpssY6Ic

— Ray Powell (@GordianKnotRay) February 16, 2025

GMA Integrated News has reached out to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to verify the presence of Chinese ships on Philippine territory, but the agency has yet to respond. It has also reached out to the Chinese Embassy, but no response has been received.

The latest incident comes just a week after a Chinese research vessel was spotted close to Palawan, which the Philippine Navy said followed protocol as it had to avoid inclement weather conditions.

Another maritime expert, Jay Batongbacal, has called on the administration to convince other countries to call the United Nations (UN), which has 193 member states, into action.

“Hindi nga po masyadong umaaksyon ang UN dahil una, overall 160 member countries ‘yan at pangalawa, marami po sa kanila ay naiimpluwensiyahan ng Tsina,” he said in the same report.

(The UN does not do much action because firstly, overall it has 160 member countries and secondly, a lot of them are influenced by China.)

On Saturday, the PCG vessel BRP Cabra was able to push back a CCG ship farther away from the coastline of Zambales

On Sunday morning another PCG vessel, the BRP Bagacay took over from the Cabra to maintain "continuous vigilance against the illegal presence of Chinese Coast Guard vessels" off the Zambales coast, PCG spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela said.

Philippine Coast Guard Continues Vigilant Patrol Against Illegal Chinese Presence with BRP Bagacay

This morning, the Philippine Coast Guard vessel BRP Bagacay took over from BRP Cabra to maintain continuous vigilance against the illegal presence of Chinese Coast Guard vessels… pic.twitter.com/Ak2tJklHf6

— Jay Tarriela (@jaytaryela) February 16, 2025

Just two weeks ago the PCG detected the movement of two China Coast Guard vessels about 34 nautical miles off the coast of Pangasinan, also within the Philippines’ 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone.

To recall, the Philippines in 2013 challenged China over its claims on the West Philippine Sea, where Manila scored a victory and a landmark ruling by an international tribunal which invalidated Beijing’s claims.

China has refused to acknowledge the Permanent Court of Arbitration’s 2016  ruling that invalidated its nine-dash line. Its government in 2022 claimed that it will continue to adhere to what it described as a  “friendly consultation” with the Philippines after several Chinese  vessels have been found “swarming” areas in the West Philippine Sea.

The Philippines has already filed over 150 diplomatic protests  against China regarding the territorial dispute under the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. — BM, GMA Integrated News