BRP Cabra shadows 2 CCG ships until their exit from PH waters
Philippine News Agency
By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz
February 4, 2025, 5:22 pm
MANILA -- The Philippine Coast Guard's (PCG) BRP Cabra has shadowed two China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels to challenge their presence inside the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) until they returned to China.
In a statement on Tuesday, PCG Spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Commodore Jay Tarriela said BRP Cabra issued radio challenges highlighting the absence of legal authority of CCG vessels 3301 and 3104 to patrol Philippine waters during their incursion on Monday.
Both CCG vessels have since returned to China.
"According to Dark Vessel Detection data, as of 7 a.m. today (Feb. 4), the CCG vessels were tracked at 61 nautical miles and 81 nautical miles from Guangdong Province, China, respectively," Tarriela said.
He said the presence of both CCG vessels inside the Philippine EEZ was illegal based on the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the 2016 Arbitral Award.
"The PCG remains unwavering in its commitment to uphold the nation's maritime rights and safeguard national interests in the WPS, ensuring a vigilant approach without escalating tensions," he said.
On Sunday, he said the PCG's efforts to challenge CCG vessels has led to CCG 5901 -- dubbed the monster ship for its size -- being pushed back to 117 nautical miles from the Zambales coastline.
CCG 5901 was first spotted inside Philippine waters on Jan. 4 at a distance of 54 nautical miles from Zambales. (PNA)
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