PCG: BRP Cabra takes over to challenge CCG vessels near Zambales coast

MANILA, Philippines — Another Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel replaced BRP Suluan (MRRV-4406) and took over patrolling the vicinity waters near the Zambales coast, where a Chinese vessel was illegally operating.

In a report on Wednesday night, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said BRP Cabra continued the agency’s monitoring efforts and challenged the illegal presence of the China Coast Guard (CCG).

“Upon arriving in the area where BRP Suluan has been monitoring CCG vessel 3103, it was noted that another CCG vessel, identified by bow number 3304, was approaching their location,” Tarriela said.



READ: PCG: No letup in monitoring of Chinese vessels near Zambales coast

“This indicates that the CCG may anticipate the PCG deploying two vessels in response. However, as BRP Suluan made its way back to Subic, Zambales, CCG-3304 also retreated further from the coastline,” he added.

In response to CCG’s deployment of another vessel, Tarriela said BRP Cabra engaged in hourly radio communications with CCG 3103 “to remind them of their violations of the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the 2016 Arbitral Award.”

“The presence of the PCG vessel is intended to prevent the illegally operating CCG from getting closer to the Zambales coastline,” he explained.

On Tuesday, PCG reported that China’s monster ship left the area near Zambales. It was last spotted about 19 nautical miles from Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) around 9 p.m.

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.

(2025/01/22-23:47)