PCG shadows 2 CCG ships at Bajo de Masinloc

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Sunday it shadowed and issued radio challenges to two China Coast Guard (CCG) ships it discovered during a maritime patrol at the disputed Bajo de Masinloc.

In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), PCG Spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said the BRP Cabra encountered CCG vessels with hull numbers 4305 and 3305 26.22 nautical miles east of Bajo De Masinloc and 93.63 nautical miles west northwest of Palauig, Zambales.

“The PCG issued a firm radio challenge, ordering the Chinese ship to depart Philippine waters immediately… The PCG stressed that it will continue routine and legitimate patrols to protect national sovereignty and prevent the normalization of unlawful Chinese presence,” the Coast Guard said in a statement.

In August, the PCG raised concerns after a “significant increase” of Chinese research ships at Bajo de Masinloc.

Last October, the Coast Guard reported harassment from Chinese vessels off Pag-asa Island, noting that this would be the closest incident to the Philippine archipelago and within the country’s territory.

Tensions continue as Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual shipborne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei.

Parts of the South China Sea that fall within Philippine territory have been renamed by the government as West Philippine Sea to reinforce the country’s claim.

The West Philippine Sea refers to the maritime areas on the western side of the Philippine archipelago including Luzon Sea and the waters around, within and adjacent to the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc.

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, saying that it had "no legal basis."

China has refused to recognize the decision. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/RF, GMA Integrated News