PCG challenges Chinese vessel near Zambales coast

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported the presence of a Chinese Coast Guard vessel near the Zambales coast, with BRP Teresa Magbanua conducting another radio challenge on China Coast Guard vessel CCG 3304.

Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, stated that CCG 3304 was spotted approximately 105 to 115 nautical miles from the coast of Zambales and has been monitored by the PCG over a week.

Tarriela emphasized that the Philippines is asserting its sovereign rights in response to what it considers an illegal presence, as directed by President Bongbong Marcos, while protecting Filipino fishermen within Philippine waters.

BRP Teresa Magbanua pushed back CCG 5901 from Zambales province initially spotted at 54 nautical miles off the shore to approximately 120 nautical miles.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun defended the presence of their vessels in the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), maintaining that China's actions are justified under domestic and international laws.

Tensions persist as Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, an area also claimed by other nations including the Philippines, which refers to its maritime territory as the West Philippine Sea.