PCG: Three China ships swarm West Philippine Sea

Three patrol ships of the China Coast Guard (CCG) were spotted swarming the West Philippine Sea, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commodore Jay Tarriela reported.

- GHIO ONG

The agency's 44-meter patrol vessel BRP Bagacay shadowed CCG 3105 until it was driven away at "approximately 95 nautical miles off the coast of Zambales," he said in a statement on Sunday evening.

Just like the previous radio challenges, PCG personnel onboard Bagacay warned CCG 3105 it was violating Republic Act 12064 or the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 Arbitral Award.

CCG 3105 reportedly replaced CCG 5303 that arrived in the same area last Feb. 15, noted Tarriela who is PCG's spokesman on West Philippine Sea issues.

Meanwhile, CCG 5303 and CCG 3301 were detected "illegally patrolling the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc" also called Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal.

CCG patrol ships have been navigating the West Philippine Sea, over which the Philippines asserts sovereign rights, being part of its 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone, since Jan. 4, 2025.

"Despite operating with limited resources and facing challenging sea conditions that jeopardize the safety of our personnel, the PCG's resolve to protect our maritime interests will not waver," wrote Tarriela.