In a bold move to protect national sovereignty, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has actively challenged the presence of China Coast Guard (CCG) ships within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ). On January 9, 2025, near the Zambales coastline, the PCG’s vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua was deployed to monitor and confront the unauthorized activities of the CCG ships.
PCG’s West Philippine Sea spokesperson, Commodore Jay Tarriela, reported that the BRP Teresa Magbanua issued persistent radio challenges to the Chinese vessels, demanding their immediate departure from Philippine waters. Tarriela emphasized that the Chinese ships lacked any legal authority to operate within the Philippines’ EEZ, citing violations of the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and the 2016 Arbitral Award.
The Chinese vessels were observed making erratic movements between 70 to 80 nautical miles off the Zambales coast, with the apparent aim of asserting a normalized presence in the area. However, the PCG remains resolute in its efforts to counteract these illegal deployments and prevent any semblance of legitimacy to the Chinese operations.
Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, the PCG Commandant, has instructed the force to maintain vigilant monitoring of the CCG’s illegal activities and to respond in a manner that safeguards Philippine interests without escalating tensions.
Recent reports also indicated that CCG vessel no. 3013 was en route to Zambales, possibly to relieve CCG-5901, known as the ‘monster ship’ due to its size, which had been conducting a five-day incursion into Philippine waters starting January 4 near Capones Island.