PCG accosts China Coast Guard ship encroaching near west coast of Luzon

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) issued a radio challenge at a China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel that was spotted encroaching near the coasts of Zambales, Pangasinan, and the Ilocos provinces.

According to Ivan Mayrina’s report in “24 Oras” on Monday, the BRP Malabrigo (MRRV-4402) detected the CCG vessel patrolling at the contested Bajo de Masinloc.

“You do not possess any legal authority to patrol within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone. You are directed to cease and desist from conducting illegal maritime patrols,” a personnel from BRP Malabrigo said in a radio challenge to the CCG vessel 5304.

The PCG was alarmed after the Chinese vessel attempted to get closer to provinces along the coast of Luzon.

“Based on our observation, parang tinatahak niya yung track ng kaniyang, alam naman natin, ‘yung illegal nine-dash line ng Chinese government,” said Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for WPS Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela.

Based on our observation, it seems to be following the path of—as we all know—the Chinese government's illegal nine-dash line.)

Beijing’s nine-dash line refers to the majority of area in the South China Sea that it claims. Despite an arbitral ruling invalidating China’s claims in 2016, Beijing does not recognize it.

“China has repeatedly stated that the South China Sea arbitration was a political farce disguised in legal clothing, and that its so-called award is illegal, null, and void,” the Chinese Embassy in Manila said.

But the Philippine government maintains that the arbitral ruling is final and binding.

“Kung hindi natin papansinin ito, hindi natin icha-challenge, hindi natin isasapubliko itong mga ilegal na gawain nila, sasabihin nila they have been in control of these areas. What they are doing right now is to normalize their illegal presence, that’s why it’s important for us to consistently challenge the illegal patrol being conducted by Chinese Coast Guard,” said Tarriela.

(If we ignore this, if we don't challenge it, if we don't make their illegal activities public, they will claim they have been in control of these areas. What they are doing right now is normalizing their illegal presence, that’s why it’s important for us to consistently challenge the illegal patrol being conducted by the Chinese Coast Guard.)

The PCG said the CCG vessel 5304 was last spotted near Zambales. Meanwhile, the Chinese research vessel spotted last time is no longer in the Philippine seas.

Maritime experts believe that the presence of Chinese research vessels is just the first step in their planned militarization in the South China Sea.

But the Chinese Embassy said “China’s construction activities and deployment of necessary national defense facilities within its own territory constitute the exercise of its inherent rights of self-defense and self-preservation under international law.”

For its part, the PCG will continue to challenge China in the high seas.

“We’re not going to get tired of challenging them. We are going to document it and we’re going to tell the international community that the Chinese government is the one violating the international law and escalating tensions in the West Philippine Sea,” said Tarriela. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA News