PCG conducts MDA flights over West Philippine Sea to assert territorial rights

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will conduct maritime domain awareness (MDA) flights over key areas of the West Philippine Sea on Saturday to assert territorial rights.

This MDA flight was ordered by PCG Commandant Ronnie Gil Gavan following dangerous maneuvers conducted by a Chinese military helicopter near Bajo de Masinloc.

Commodore Jay Tarriela, the PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said that these routine flights aim to demonstrate the Philippines' presence in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

The PCG is currently tracking China Coast Guard vessels off the coast of Pangasinan and Zambales and has deployed its own vessels to counter their presence.

China controls Bajo de Masinloc, located 124 nautical miles off Masinloc, Zambales, despite it being within the Philippines' EEZ.

The South China Sea dispute continues with China claiming almost all of it, despite an international ruling in 2016 stating this claim has no legal basis.