The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said that the People’s Republic of China (PRC) deployed a new coast guard vessel to the coast of Zambales on Thursday, Jan. 9, to “normalize and legitimize” their illegal presence in the area.
A China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel with bow number “3304” replaced CCG “3103” in Zambales’ coast after the latter was sent by the PRC following the departure of “monster” vessel “CCG-5901” on Wednesday, Jan. 8, according to Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for West Philippine Sea (WPS).
The vessels were spotted “exhibiting erratic movements” at approximately 70 to 80 nautical miles from the shore of Zambales.
“Despite this change, the objective of the Chinese deployment remains the same: to assert normalization and legitimacy in these waters,” Tarriela said.
READ: China's 'monster' ship leaves Zambales coast but 'replacement vessel' arrives – PCG
The PCG won't allow this, said Tarriela.
He said the PCG deployed patrol ship BRP Teresa MAgbannua (MRRV-9701) to monitor the illegal presence of the CCG vessels.
The crew of BRP Teresa Magbanua issued radio challenges to the Chinese vessels and informed them that they were operating within the 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Philippines.
“The crew made it clear that the Chinese vessels do not possess any legal authority to patrol within the Philippines' EEZ and directed them to depart immediately,” Tarriela said.