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Philippine Coastguard Commodore Jay Tarriela, spokesperson for West Philippine Sea, answer queries from the members of the media during Kapihan sa Manila Hotel forum about the West Philippine Sea. INQUIRER PHOTO / RICHARD A. REYES
MANILA, Philippines — A Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel has continued to challenge the presence of China Coast Guard (CCG) ships “exhibiting erratic movements” in Philippine waters off Zambales.
Commodore Jay Tarriela, the PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS), said on Thursday that CCG ships with bow numbers 3103 and 3304 were spotted about 130 kilometers to 148 km off Zambales.
On Wednesday, CCG 3103 made intrusive patrols off Zambales, replacing CCG 5901, or China’s monster ship, the biggest coast guard vessel in the world.
But on Thursday, Tarriela said CCG 3304 was seen off Zambales, replacing CCG 3103.
“The crew of the BRP Teresa Magbanua persistently radio-challenged the Chinese vessels, informing them that they [were] operating within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ),” he said in a statement.
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The Teresa Magbanua told the Chinese they were violating Republic Act No. 12064, or the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, as well as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, of which China is a signatory, and the 2016 arbitral award.
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“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.
He said PCG commandant Adm. Ronnie Gil Gavan ordered the PCG to “vigilantly monitor” the illegal presence of the CCG “while employing a measured response … to avoid escalation.”
This week, the US Navy’s nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson conducted “routine operations” in the South China Sea as Beijing’s monster ship patrolled the area.
The 165-meter China’s monster ship first entered Manila’s EEZ on Jan. 1 and made intrusive patrols in the vicinity of Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal and off the coast of Zambales.
Improved PH Navy
The Philippine Navy said it has improved its operational readiness and was more capable of conducting operations in the country’s EEZ.
In an interview on Friday, Philippine Navy spokesperson Cmdr. John Percie Alcos said there are now “record numbers of operationally ready warships and aircraft that have the capability to conduct naval and maritime operations up to the EEZ.”
Under the ongoing modernization program, the navy is expected to receive two brand-new guided missile corvettes and six offshore patrol vessels from South Korean defense contractor HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, and two landing dock platforms from Indonesian shipbuilder PT PAL within the next two to three years.
Three batteries of the Indian-made Brahmos antiship missiles, which will be operated by Marine units, are also expected to be commissioned soon.
The navy is also expected to acquire additional brand-new antisubmarine helicopters to beef up the capabilities of the soon-to-be-delivered guided missile corvettes.
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He added the navy will pursue its ongoing modernization program and leverage partnerships with like-minded navies. —With a report from PNA