PCG: China ships remain at Scarborough Shoal amid nature reserve plan

Chinese ships have maintained a constant presence at Scarborough Shoal amid Beijing's plan to establish a nature reserve at the resource-rich area within the West Philippine Sea.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported this during a press briefing Tuesday, saying the Chinese vessels continue to be observed at the contested maritime feature, also known as Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal.

"If you're going to ask me if they have increased their level of presence, I would say it's pretty much the same," PCG Commodore Jay Tarriela said.

He said about six to 10 Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) ships were constantly observed at Scarborough Shoal.

However, Tarriela said an increase in CCG vessels and China People's Liberation Army warships was observed whenever there was a high number of Filipino fishing vessels there.

This morning, Tarriela said, the PCG conducted a Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) flight.

"Ang pinaka-significant na nakita nila dito ngayon is that there are four China Coast Guard vessels that they have monitored within the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc," Tarriela said.

(The most significant observation today is the presence of four Chinese Coast Guard vessels near Bajo de Masinloc.)

"There is also a PLA Navy warship, but it's quite distant, it's far from the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc," he added in a mix of English and Filipino.

During the 13th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) - US Summit, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. flagged the planned establishment of a nature reserve in Bajo de Masinloc.

Without naming China, Marcos emphasized that the attempt to build a nature reserve in the Bajo de Masinloc violates the Philippines' sovereignty and the fishing rights of Filipino fisherfolk, which are supported by international laws.

On September 10, China announced its plan to create a national nature reserve in Scarborough Shoal, which prompted the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to file a diplomatic protest against China.

'Hypocrisy'

National Maritime Council spokesperson Alexander Lopez called China’s move a "hypocrisy," pointing out its environmental destruction, where Chinese fishermen harvested giant clams.

"Kinalbo nila na yung Scarborough Shoal, and yet they claim that they are the stewards of the marine environment," Lopez said.

(They exploited Scarborough Shoal, yet they claim to be stewards of the marine environment.)

GMA News Online has requested comment from the Chinese Embassy in Manila, but it has yet to respond as of posting time.

In 2024, the National Security Council said that since 2016, PCG observed "Chinese fishermen transporting large quantities of giant clams, sea turtles, puffer fishes, stingrays, topshells, eels, and other marine animals."

Bajo de Masinloc is located 124 nautical miles off Masinloc, Zambales, and is considered within the Philippines' 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the South China Sea, but the latter refused to recognize the decision. — VDV, GMA Integrated News