The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has made its presence felt in the West Philippine Sea by deploying its personnel to drive away foreign vessels at the Sabina Shoal and issuing radio challenges to its Chinese counterparts and a Chinese military vessel at the Pagasa Island and the Ayungin Shoal.
In a statement released on Thursday, March 30, the PCG reported that its personnel on board the BRP Malapascua asserted Philippine sovereignty on the People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLAN) Type 056A Jiangdao II Class Missile Corvette which they encountered 12 nautical miles from the Pagasa Island.
Pagasa Island is located around 480 kilometers off the southwestern part of Palawan is the largest area being occupied by the Philippines in the disputed part of the South China Sea.
“The PCG vessel issued multiple radio challenges while the PLAN vessel responded with its own challenge,” the PCG statement read.
At the Ayungin Shoal where Philippine troops were stationed on board a grounded vessel, the PCG said its personnel encountered the presence of Chinese Coast Guard vessel (CCGV) 5201.
PCG personnel immediately issued a radio challenge which in turn shadowed the BRP Malapascua at a distance of approximately 1,600 yards.
“The PCG vessel reported that during its encounter with CCGV 5201 at Ayungin Shoal, the former came as close as 1.2 nautical miles from the grounded Philippine Navy Vessel BRP Sierra Madre,” the statement read.
MARPAT
The Maritime Patrol conducted by the PCG with its BRP Malapascua vessel was part of the six-day mission to check the situation in the Kalayaan Island and other areas in the West Philippine Sea. It started on March 16.
During the conduct of maritime patrol, the PCG said it monitored the presence of at 20 Chinese and Vietnamese vessels.
The PCG vessel also encountered at least two CCGVs with bow numbers 5304 and 5305 near the shoal.
“Multiple radio challenges were issued by the PCG vessel but no response was received,” the PCG statement read.
“Rigid-hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs) were deployed to disperse the foreign-flagged vessels in and around the shoal,” it added.
Report done
PCG commandant Admiral Artemio Abu said the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea has received the post-operation report for the maritime patrol mission of the BRP Malapascua.
“The PCG is working in conjunction with the Western Command (WESCOM) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Area Task Force – West (ATF-WEST) to monitor and respond to the presence of foreign vessels in the West Philippine Sea,” said Abu.
“These kinds of missions continue to prove invaluable in protecting and securing our rights and interests in the WPS. The conduct of this maritime patrol to promote peace and stability in the region,” he added.