The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Saturday, Jan. 11, that it continues to closely monitor the activities of a China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel operating off the coast of Zambales to ensure that local fishermen are still able to cast their nets and earn a livelihood.

As of Friday, Jan. 10, CCG vessel with tail number “3304” was observed at approximately 70 to 80 nautical miles off Zambales’ coast, according to Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Tarriela noted that the Chinese ship’s presence was “illegal.”

In response, the PCG, through the directive of Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, coast guard commandant, maintained the deployment of multi-role response vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701) in the vicinity waters of Zambales where the Chinese vessel was spotted to thwart the “normalization and legitimization” of the CCG’s illegal actions, “which may lead to assertions of control over these waters.”

“Moreover, the continued vigilance of BRP Teresa Magbanua serves as a proactive measure to ensure that Filipino fishermen can carry out their activities without the threat of harassment or intimidation,” Tarriela said.

READ: PCG accuses China of ‘normalizing, legitimizing’ illegal presence in Zambales’ coast

CCG-3304 was monitored in Zambales last Jan. 9 after it replaced another Chinese ship, CCG-3103.

On the other hand, CCG-3103 arrived in Zambales as a “replacement vessel” following the departure of China’s “monster” ship, CCG-5901, which stayed in the area from Jan. 4 to 8.

Tarriela has accused the People’s Republic of China (PRC) of maintaining CCG’s presence in Zambales’ coast to “normalize and legitimize” their illegal presence in the area.

He said the PCG will not be provoked nor intimidated by China’s tactics.

“The deployment of the PCG’s white ship underscores a commitment to monitoring and maintaining a visible presence to deter illegal activities by the Chinese Coast Guard while adhering to principles of restraint and non-provocation,” Tarriela concluded.