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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Saludo! PCG hails ship for confronting Chinese vessel anew

Saludo! PCG hails ship for confronting Chinese vessel anew

Published Feb 16, 2025 04:17 am
CCG 5303 PCG.jpg
China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel "5303" is spotted at approximately 95 nautical miles off the coast of Zambales on Feb. 15, 2025. (Courtesy of Philippine Coast Guard)

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) applauded BRP Cabra (MRRV-4409) and her crew for challenging the “illegal presence” of a new China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel that arrived off the coast of Zambales on Saturday, Feb. 15.

BRP Cabra shadowed CCG vessel with bow number “5305”, which replaced another Chinese ship, CCG-3103, off Zambales’ coast.

“In a remarkable display of determination and commitment to national sovereignty, the Philippine Coast Guard vessel BRP Cabra continues to shadow the 134-meter China Coast Guard vessel with bow number 5303, despite adverse sea conditions characterized by wave heights of five to eight feet,” PCG spokesperson for West Philippine Sea (WPS) Commodore Jay Tarriela said.

Amid huge waves, BRP Cabra was steered masterfully by her crew, enabling her to push back CCG-5305 to approximately 95 nautical miles off Zambales’ coast, the PCG spokesman said. A crew member also issued a radio challenge to the Chinese ship.

What was more impressive, according to Tarriela, is that the 44-meter-long PCG ship was not intimidated by the much longer 134-meter CCG vessel.

“The crew aboard the BRP Cabra remains steadfast in their mission to assert the Philippines' sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). They are committed [to] pushing the CCG-5303 further away from the Philippine coastline while meticulously documenting the People's Republic of China's illegal and escalatory actions,” he noted.

Meanwhile, China’s so-called “monster ship,” CCG-5901, has withdrawn from Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough or Panatag Shoal) and went to Paracel Islands, which is being claimed by China, Taiwan and Vietnam.

According to the PCG, the CCG has established its presence off Zambales' coast since Jan. 4 to "normalize" its presence in areas claimed by China as part of its territory.

A 2016 arbitral ruling already invalidated China's claims in the South China Sea but Beijing continues to ignore the decision.

Tarriela reiterated the PCG's commitment to prevent the CCG from moving closer to the Philippine shore.

"The Philippine Coast Guard's ongoing efforts reflect a resolute commitment to safeguarding the nation's maritime interests and upholding international law," he said.

Related Tags

China Coast Guard BRP Cabra West Philippine Sea (WPS) Zambales PCG
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