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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PCG ship repels Chinese vessel three times its size off Zambales

PCG ship repels Chinese vessel three times its size off Zambales

Published Mar 9, 2025 04:05 am
PCG China Coast Guard 3105.jpeg
China Coast Guard ship "3105" is monitored by the Philippine Coast Guard around 95 nautical miles off the coast of Zambales on March 8, 2025. (Photo: PCG)

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said that BRP Cabra (MRRV-4409) pushed back against an advancing China Coast Guard (CCG) ship that was three times its size off the coast of Zambales on Saturday, March 8.

BRP Cabra, a 44-meter multi-role response vessel, maintained its position in monitoring CCG ship “3105”, which measures over 130 meters in length, said Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for West Philippine Sea (WPS).

What was even more laudable was that the PCG ship had to perform its mission of defending the Zambales coast despite adverse sea conditions, with wave heights exceeding three to five meters.

“[T]he BRP Cabra has effectively kept the larger vessel at a distance of more than 95 nautical miles off the coast of Zambales, preventing its approach to the coastline,” Tarriela said.

The CCG has maintained its presence off Zambales’ coast since January in an attempt to “normalize” their stay there, according to the PCG.

But Tarriela said the PCG continues to challenge the “illegal presence” of the CCG, emphasizing that their actions violate the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the Philippines Maritime Zones Act, and the 2016 Arbitral Award -- which invalidated China's claims in the South China Sea, including parts of the WPS.

The deployment of PCG vessels aims to “persistently prevent China from altering the status quo and normalizing its unlawful presence within the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone,” Tarriela noted, citing PCG Commandant, Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan.

“The PCG remains steadfast in upholding President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s commitment to ensuring that not a square inch of Philippine territory is surrendered to any foreign power,” Tarriela said.

“Despite the challenges posed by smaller vessels and inclement weather, the dedicated men and women of BRP Cabra stand resolute in their mission to safeguard the nation's waters and ensure the security of the Filipino fishermen,” he added.

Related Tags

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