China Coast Guard ship spotted near Bajo de Masinloc, BRP Teresa Magbanua deployed

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Friday said it has deployed its BRP Terese Magbanua as China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel 4305 was spotted near Bajo de Masinloc.

In a statement, PCG spokesperson for West Philippine Sea (WPS) Commodore Jay Tarriela said BRP Teresa Magbanua has been issuing radio challenges to the Chinese vessel.

The CCG ship was located 42.77 nautical miles southeast of Bajo De Masinloc and 103.15 nautical miles southwest of Capones Island, Zambales.

“BRP Teresa Magbanua is actively conducting radio challenges to CCG 4305, firmly asserting that its illegal presence in the area constitutes a clear violation of the 2016 Arbitral Award, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the Philippine Maritime Zones Act,” he said.

BRP Teresa Magbanua Maintains Firm Presence and Issues Radio Challenges Against Illegal Chinese Coast Guard Incursion in West Philippine Sea

The Philippine Coast Guard’s flagship multi-role response vessel, BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701), continues its sustained deployment near… pic.twitter.com/PluoIqB9EH

— Jay Tarriela (@jaytaryela) November 28, 2025

“These radio challenges underscore the Philippines’ unwavering commitment to defending its sovereign rights and jurisdiction within its exclusive economic zone, as affirmed by the 2016 Arbitral Award that invalidated China’s excessive maritime claims,” he added.

He said BRP Teresa Magbanua’s presence reassures Filipino fishers of the government’s steadfast support to allow them fish safely and freely without fear of harassment, intimidation, or interference.

“Through its professional, rules-based, and restrained maritime patrol—including persistent radio challenges—the Philippine Coast Guard complies to the directive of the President to continue to uphold maritime law, safeguard national sovereignty, and promote peace and stability in the WPS without escalation,” he added.

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

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. —VAL, GMA Integrated News