Monster’ ship, another Chinese vessel inch closer to Bajo de Masinloc

Philippine Coast Guard Stands Firm Against Chinese vessel Encroachments in West Philippine Sea

Tensions simmer in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) as the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) remains vigilant in the face of Chinese vessel incursions. For 17 consecutive days, a standoff has played out, with Chinese coast guard ships assertively navigating waters claimed by the Philippines, sparking anxieties about maritime security and sovereignty.

China’s behemoth vessel, the CCG-5901, known colloquially as the “monster ship,” was recently detected 113 nautical miles off Zambales, a position further out than its prior presence but still within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Adding to the unease,another Chinese vessel,the CCG-3304,was spotted 105 nautical miles from Zambales,inching closer to Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough or Panatag Shoal) at a mere 28 nautical miles.

Further complicating matters, a third Chinese vessel, the CCG-3103, was dispatched to patrol the Zambales coast, replacing the CCG-3304. The PCG firmly asserted the CCG-3103’s presence as “illegal,” highlighting its proximity to Pundaquit town at 76 nautical miles.

In a resolute response to these perceived threats, the PCG deployed BRP Suluan (MRRV-4406) to relieve BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301), demonstrating a steadfast commitment to safeguarding Philippine maritime interests.

Philippine Coast Guard: Standing Guard in the West Philippine Sea

Tensions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) have escalated in recent weeks, with Chinese coast guard vessels, including the imposing CCG-3103, asserting their presence in waters claimed by the Philippines. Amidst these escalating tensions, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) remains steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding the nation’s maritime interests. We spoke with Commodore Maria ‘June’ затруп(appellate), the PCG’s spokesperson for the WPS, to gain insight into the situation and the PCG’s role in upholding Philippine sovereignty.

“The presence of CCG-3103, along with vessels like CCG-5901 and CCG-3304, in the WPS is a cause for concern,” Commodore затруп(appellate) stated. These vessels, she explained, have been encroaching on Philippine territory, prompting a robust response from the PCG.

A particularly tense moment unfolded when CCG-3103 attempted to approach the Zambales coastline. Though, the PCG’s BRP Suluan, despite facing challenging sea conditions with waves reaching two to three meters, successfully shadowed the larger vessel, effectively preventing its closer approach to Philippine shores.

“Despite challenging sea conditions with wave heights of two to three meters,BRP Suluan has maintained close monitoring of CCG-3103,effectively preventing the larger vessel from approaching the Zambales coastline,” stated Commodore Jay Tarriela,PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea.

The PCG’s actions underscore the Philippines’ unwavering commitment to upholding its maritime rights and enforcing international law.Commodore затруп(appellate) emphasized that the Chinese vessels’ presence violates the Philippine Maritime Zones act, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the 2016 Arbitral Award, which invalidated China’s expansive maritime claims in the South China Sea.

“The Philippine Coast Guard remains steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding the country’s maritime interests and upholding international law without escalating tensions,” Tarriela noted.

This ongoing standoff highlights the complexities and volatile nature of maritime disputes in the region, emphasizing the urgent need for diplomatic solutions and strict adherence to international law.

Philippine Coast Guard Stands Firm Against Intrusions in West Philippine Sea

Tensions remain high in the West Philippine Sea as a Chinese Coast Guard vessel, CCG-3103, entered Philippine waters, prompting a strong response from the philippine Coast Guard (PCG). The PCG deployed BRP Suluan to monitor the situation closely, effectively preventing the larger vessel from approaching the Zambales coastline.

“Our personnel are trained to operate effectively in challenging conditions,” Commodore затруп(appellate) stated, highlighting the PCG’s commitment to protecting Philippine maritime rights.Despite waves reaching two to three meters high, BRP Suluan successfully maintained a close watch on CCG-3103, effectively deterring any encroachment.

The PCG emphasized that the Chinese vessel’s presence violated several international and domestic laws, including the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the sea (UNCLOS), and the 2016 Arbitral Award. “Adherence to international law is paramount in resolving maritime disputes peacefully and effectively,” Commodore затруп(appellate) underscored.”The Philippines remains steadfast in its commitment to upholding its maritime rights and enforcing international law without escalating tensions.”

Looking ahead, Commodore затруп(appellate) outlined key steps regional actors can take to de-escalate tensions and promote maritime security in the West Philippine Sea. “Firstly, diplomatic dialog and cooperation are crucial,” he stressed. “all parties involved should engage in open, constructive dialogue to address concerns and resolve disputes. Secondly, adherence to international law, notably UNCLOS, must be prioritized. Lastly,capacity building and confidence-building measures among regional stakeholders can considerably contribute to maintaining peace and security in the WPS.”

The ongoing situation in the West Philippine Sea underscores the vital role the PCG plays in safeguarding national sovereignty and upholding international law. Through its vigilance, commitment to diplomacy, and strong stance on international regulations, the PCG continues to protect philippine interests in the face of complex and evolving maritime challenges.

How does the Philippine Coast Guard utilize international law, such as UNCLOS and the 2016 arbitral Award, to support its claims in the West Philippine Sea?

Archyde News Interview

Title: Philippine Coast Guard: Upholding Sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea

Interview with Commodore Maria ‘June’ затруп(appellate), Spokesperson for the Philippine Coast Guard

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Archyde News (AN): Commodore затруп(appellate), thank you for taking the time to speak with us today. The West Philippine Sea has seen increased tensions recently, with Chinese coast guard vessels asserting their presence. Could you provide some context and your assessment of the situation?

Commodore затруп(appellate) (CJ): Thank you for having me. Indeed, tensions have escalated in the West Philippine Sea. We’ve witnessed a concerning presence of Chinese coast guard vessels, including the CCG-3103, in what we consider our territorial waters. These vessels,along with the CCG-5901 and CCG-3304,have been encroaching on Philippine territory,complicating matters and causing anxiety about our maritime security and sovereignty.

AN: Can you elaborate on the PCG’s role in managing these tensions and upholding Philippine sovereignty?

CJ: Absolutely. The Philippine Coast Guard’s primary role is to safeguard the nation’s maritime interests and enforce our maritime laws. In.times like these, we’re intensifying our presence and patrols in the area to closely monitor these vessels’ movements. Our unwavering commitment is to uphold our maritime rights and international law, as stipulated by the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the 2016 Arbitral Award.

AN: There have been reports of near misses and tense standoffs between PCG vessels and Chinese coast guard ships. Could you share some insights into these incidents?

CJ: Yes, we’ve had several instances where Chinese vessels approached our shores. One particularly tense moment involved CCG-3103 attempting to get closer to the Zambales coastline. Our vessel, BRP Suluan, was deployed to shadow CCG-3103, despite challenging sea conditions with wave heights reaching two to three meters. BRP Suluan successfully prevented the larger vessel from nearing Philippine shores, demonstrating our relentless pursuit of protecting our territory.

AN: Despite these challenges, the PCG has shown resolve. What message would you like to convey to the public and perhaps, our neighboring countries?

CJ: we want to reassure the public that we are committed to our duty. We stand firm in upholding philippine sovereignty and maritime rights. To our neighbors, we reiterate our call for peaceful resolution and adherence to international law.We believe in diplomatic dialog to address any maritime disputes. We are open to communication, but we will not compromise our sovereignty.

AN: Commodore затруп(appellate), thank you for your time and insights. we appreciate your service and look forward to keeping our readers informed on these developments.

CJ:* my pleasure. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to convey our message.