PCG patrols near Scarborough Shoal, orders Chinese vessels to leave

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) conducted patrols near the disputed Scarborough Shoal on Sunday, ordering Chinese vessels to leave due to China's "excessive maritime claims."

A Philippine patrol ship, the BRP Cabra, shadowed two Chinese coast guard vessels approximately 26 nautical miles east of the shoal.

The PCG issued radio challenges to the Chinese vessels, citing violations of the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and the 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated China's claims.

These patrols are intended to assert Philippine sovereignty peacefully and prevent the normalization of an unlawful Chinese presence in the area.

Foreign Service Institute Assistant Chief for WPS Studies Jacqueline Buenaventura stated that China should not use "environmental protection responsibilities" as a pretext for advancing territorial claims.