PCG challenges Chinese vessel near Pandaquit, Zambales

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Tuesday said it challenged a Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel spotted within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

In a statement, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela said CCG-4305 was monitored around 48 nautical miles west of Pandaquit, Zambales.

PCG commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan immediately ordered the deployment of aerial and surface assets after the vessel’s presence within the Philippines’ EEZ was confirmed.

The PCG said its Piper Navajo 302 aircraft departed from La Union Airport on Tuesday morning to conduct a maritime domain awareness flight over the area.

Tarriela said the Filipino aircrew issued several radio challenges to the Chinese vessel. The aircraft also conducted multiple passes over the area to document the incident before returning to base.

Also, PCG’s BRP Cape San Agustin was dispatched to the location of the Chinese vessel and issued radio challenges throughout the day.

Tarriela said the Chinese vessel initially acknowledged one radio challenge in the morning but later stopped responding.

“Notably, CCG-4305 provided no lawful basis for its presence within the Philippines’ EEZ,” Tarriela said.

The PCG said it would continue to oppose what it described as the “normalization of illegal patrols” by Chinese vessels off the coast of Zambales.

These activities constitute a direct violation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, and the final and binding 2016 Arbitral Award, according to Tarriela.

“The PCG remains resolute in defending the Philippines’ sovereign rights and jurisdiction through sustained MDA flights, vessel deployments, and lawful enforcement operations across the West Philippine Sea,” Gavan said.

GMA News Online has sought comment to the Chinese Embassy in Manila about the matter but it has yet to respond as of posting time. —VAL, GMA News