The National Maritime Council (NMC) of the Philippines has issued a strong condemnation of the ongoing illegal activities by Chinese maritime and militia forces within the country’s territorial waters and exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The NMC highlighted that these actions by China blatantly contravene the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and international maritime laws, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award, which upheld the Philippines’ maritime rights, particularly in the West Philippine Sea.
The Philippine government remains steadfast in defending its sovereignty and maritime jurisdiction. The NMC reported that upon detecting the unauthorized presence of China Coast Guard vessels CCG 5901 and CCG 3304 on January 5 and 10, 2025, respectively, near Bajo de Masinloc and approximately 70-90 nautical miles off Zambales, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) swiftly deployed its assets. The PCG engaged in continuous radio challenges, urging the Chinese vessels to vacate Philippine waters immediately.
In a provocative response, China escalated tensions by deploying a People’s Liberation Army-Navy helicopter to hover over Filipino vessels, further asserting its presence. The NMC stressed that the Philippines holds sovereign rights and jurisdiction over its EEZ, extending beyond the territorial sea of Bajo de Masinloc, as defined by its archipelagic baselines.
The Council firmly stated that China lacks any legal ground or authority to conduct maritime patrols or law enforcement activities in these Philippine waters, as per the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, UNCLOS, and the 2016 Arbitral Ruling. The NMC called on China to respect Philippine laws and international obligations, and to cease its illegal operations that infringe upon the Philippines’ sovereign rights in its EEZ.
In response to these violations, the Philippines has lodged a formal diplomatic protest against China’s recent actions in the West Philippine Sea, signaling its commitment to countering such encroachments.