MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel monitoring a Chinese ship off Zambales, issued an hourly radio challenge against the latter to assert its illegal operation in the area.
PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said BRP Teresa Magbanua is “actively and resolutely addressing the unlawful presence of the China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel 3304 within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).”
READ: West Philippine Sea: PCG thwarts Chinese ship’s approach in Zambales
“In defiance of the Chinese vessel’s baseless claims of jurisdiction over these waters, the BRP Teresa Magbanua has consistently communicated with CCG-3304, issuing hourly radio challenges to assert that it is operating illegally within Philippine territory,” he disclosed in a statement issued Wednesday night.
According to Tarriela, the PCG reiterated in the radio engagements that the action of the Chinese vessel violated the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which China has ratified, as well as the 2016 Arbitral Award.
Moreover, he said BRP Teresa Magbanua pushed CCG 3304 further away from the province, about 85 to 90 nautical miles (nm).
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On Tuesday, Tarriela reported that three more Chinese vessels, including the “monster ship,” were detected in the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc.
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These are the CCG 5901, approximately 99.37 nm from Zambales; CCG 3502 at 131.70 nm; and CCG 3103 at 133.97 nm.
Beijing’s continued aggression was based on its assertion of sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, including most of the West Philippine Sea, as it continues to reject the 2016 arbitral ruling that effectively dismissed its claims and ruled in favor of Manila.
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