The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Thursday night, Feb. 6, that it has continued to hold the line against the illegal incursions made by China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels in Philippine waters.

PCG ship BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701) “continues to assert the Philippines' sovereign rights” as it challenged CCG vessel “3304” approximately 105 to 115 nautical miles off Zambales’ coast, according to Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Although the Chinese vessel was pushed farther by the BRP Teresa Magbanua, the PCG said it was still within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

The CCG has deployed its vessels to the coast of Zambales since January 4, getting them as close as 50 nautical miles.

Tarriela said BRP Teresa Magbanua “vigilantly” contacted the CCG ship through radio and reiterated that the latter’s presence in the Philippine waters constitutes a violation of the Philippine Maritime Zones Act (Republic Act No. 12064), which clarifies the country’s jurisdiction over its contiguous zone and EEZ; the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which sets out the legal framework for the seas and the oceans by defining the rights and obligations of states parties; and the 2016 arbitral award, which invalidated China’s dash-line claims in the South China Sea.

On top of the towering presence of CCG 3304, the BRP Teresa Magbanu also had to deal with violent wave heights reaching three to four meters.

“The PCG is dedicated to safeguarding the maritime rights of the Philippines, ensuring the safety of Filipino fishermen, enforcing international law, and working towards the de-escalation of tensions in the West Philippine Sea,” Tarriela said.