In a resolute stance against Chinese maritime activities, the Philippines has declared its unwavering commitment to defending its territorial waters. Jonathan Malaya, Assistant Director General of the National Security Council (NSC), emphasized during a press briefing that the country will not tolerate the illegal operations of Chinese maritime forces within its jurisdiction. The briefing, conducted by the National Task Force-West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS), highlighted the ongoing efforts to counter the presence of Chinese vessels, including the notorious ‘monster ship’ CCG 5901, which has been intruding into Philippine waters since early January.
Malaya detailed the active measures being taken, noting that two Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels are currently shadowing and closely monitoring the Chinese ships. Additional assets from both the military and the PCG, including aerial units, are also deployed to keep a vigilant watch. The NSC official stressed that these actions are part of a broader strategy to enhance maritime domain awareness and detect illegal activities by the China Coast Guard (CCG).
The Philippine government has demanded that China withdraw the CCG 5901, labeling its presence as a clear violation of international law and an attempt to intimidate Filipino fishermen. Malaya asserted that such intimidation tactics have failed, reinforcing the government’s resolve to support its fishermen and challenge any unauthorized presence in Philippine waters.
Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, echoed these sentiments, stating that the Philippines will not allow China to normalize its illegal deployments. He emphasized the continuous efforts to document and challenge the CCG’s presence, reaffirming the country’s sovereignty over its exclusive economic zone. The PCG’s commitment to this cause is evident in their hour-by-hour and day-by-day operations against the Chinese vessels.