Philippine Coast Guard Monitors Chinese Vessels in Exclusive Economic Zone off Zambales

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has reported the presence of three Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessels operating inside the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) near Zambales. Commodore Jay Tarriela, spokesperson for the PCG’s West Philippine Sea affairs, confirmed that their vessel BRP Cabra (MRRV-4409) continues to actively intercept and block the forward movement of CCG ship CCG-21562.

Tarriela added that the other two Chinese vessels, identified as CCG-3305 and CCG-4305, are being closely monitored on radar as they operate in the same area. Despite the size difference, BRP Cabra has successfully maintained a protective distance of 85 to 100 nautical miles between the Chinese ships and the outer boundary of the Philippine EEZ.

Highlighting the ongoing situation, Tarriela emphasized that the intrusion by these CCG vessels constitutes a violation of Philippine sovereign territory, breaching national laws such as the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, as well as international agreements including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) ruling that nullified China’s excessive maritime claims in the West Philippine Sea.

"The Philippine Coast Guard remains steadfast in defending our nation’s sovereign rights and maritime jurisdiction," Tarriela stated. "We will not tolerate any unilateral efforts to change the status quo along the Luzon coastline through encroachment."

The 2016 PCA decision reaffirmed the Philippines’ exclusive rights over the waters of the West Philippine Sea and dismissed China’s "nine-dash line" claim as invalid. The court ruled that China infringed on the Philippines’ rights by blocking fishing and resource exploration, constructing artificial islands, and failing to prevent illegal fishing by Chinese vessels.

Tarriela reiterated that the continuous presence of BRP Cabra underscores the PCG’s commitment to upholding international maritime law while pursuing peaceful, rules-based resolutions to disputes in the region.