The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) gave China a dose of its own tactics on Sunday, Nov. 23, after BRP Cabra (MRRV-4409) shadowed two China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels near Bajo de Masinloc in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for WPS, said the BRP Cabra closely tailed the CCG vessels with bow numbers “4305” and “3305,” after spotting them 26.22 nautical miles east of Bajo de Masinloc and more than 93 nautical miles off Paluig, Zambales during a routine patrol.

This, despite the 44-meter BRP Cabra significantly outmatched in size compared to CCG 4305, a Type 301 Zhaokai-class 134-meter patrol vessel, and CCG 3305, a Type 056A-derived 111-meter patrol vessel of Shucha II-class variant.

Tarriela said the PCG issued repeated radio challenges ordering the Chinese ships to leave, citing violations of the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the 2016 arbitral ruling that junked Beijing’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea.

He noted that the move underscored the PCG’s mandate to defend Philippine maritime zones and prevent the “normalization” of unlawful Chinese presence using the same close-in monitoring tactics Beijing has long employed against Filipino vessels.

“The operation was conducted professionally and in line with President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s standing guidance to assert Philippine rights peacefully without escalating tensions,” Tarriela mentioned.

Bajo de Masinloc is an area long hounded by aggressive Chinese patrols despite being located 124 nautical miles off Masinloc, Zambales, well within the 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of Manila.

For years, CCG and People’s Liberation Army – Navy (PLA-N) ships have shadowed, blocked, or harassed PCG patrols and Filipino fishermen operating near Bajo de Masinloc along with their armed maritime militia vessels.

Several PCG vessels have reported being trailed at close range by larger CCG ships in previous incidents. In some instances, these involved dangerous maneuvers, radio threats, and the use of water cannon.

In multiple instances, Chinese vessels have attempted to cut off PCG routes or position themselves within striking distance, forcing Filipino crews to adjust course to avoid collisions just like what happened on August 11 when a CCG ship and a PLA-N warship collided in Bajo de Masinloc while pursuing BRP Suluan.