PCG warns China's vessel deployments threaten EEZ

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) warned on Sunday that China may infringe upon other countries' exclusive economic zones if its vessel deployments in Philippine waters continue unchecked.

China's largest coast guard ship returned to the Philippines' EEZ in the South China Sea and attempted to move closer to the Zambales coastline, prompting concern from the PCG; it was first detected 54 nautical miles away from Capones Island on January 4.

The PCG has been monitoring Chinese vessels for over a week and dispatched ships like BRP Cabra and BRP Teresa Magbanua to counter these movements, which it claims are not innocent passage but law enforcement operations.

Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Jay Tristan Tarriela stated that China's strategy involves normalizing such deployments, altering the status quo, and operationalizing its illegal narrative in disputed waters; he noted this is the first time a Chinese ship has come so close to Philippine waters.

Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin expressed concern over the presence of Chinese vessels within Philippine EEZs, emphasizing the need for continued vigilance to prevent normalization of these actions.