Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr on May 6 lauded the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) for its pivotal role in protecting the country’s maritime territory and sovereign rights, particularly in the disputed West Philippine Sea.

Speaking during the oath-taking ceremony of 29 newly promoted PCG officers at Malacañang Palace, Marcos emphasized the significance of their missions in asserting Philippine sovereignty.

“What you are doing is not only protecting territory. What you are doing is not only protecting citizens. You are defining for the rest of the world the territory of the Republic of the Philippines. And having done so, you are defending that territory. That is the importance of what the job has become for the Philippine Coast Guard,” the president said.

Highlighting the PCG’s strategic presence in maritime zones such as the Kalayaan Island Group and the Philippine Rise, Marcos reiterated the government’s firm stance: “The missions are declarations: we will always stand for what is ours, and we will do so with dignity, with integrity, (and) with strength.”

The president pledged continued support for the PCG, vowing to bolster its operational capacity amid intensifying regional maritime tensions.

“This administration stands with you to boost your capabilities through advanced vessels, through new technologies, and to support systems which reflect the scale and the urgency of your work,” he said. 

“In a time of global instability and rising maritime tensions, we look to you, together with the Philippine Navy and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, to stand your ground in stormy seas and never waver in what is right.”

Marcos also recognized the PCG’s joint patrols and port visits with allies such as the United States, Japan, and ASEAN neighbors. These initiatives, he said, are “strategic actions that preserve peace, ensure the freedom of navigation, and protect the livelihoods of our fishermen who rely on these waters.”

To further safeguard PCG personnel, Marcos cited the recently signed Free Legal Assistance for Military and Uniformed Personnel Act (Republic Act No. 12177), which ensures legal protection for personnel facing charges stemming from the lawful performance of duty.

“Just as you protect our people, we will ensure that you and your families are likewise protected,” he said.

29 newly promoted officers of the Philippine Coast Guard take their oath in a ceremony steeped in maritime honor at Malacañang Palace on May 6. Photo credit: Presidential Communications Office

Maritime guardianship in action

Marcos also commended the PCG’s extensive maritime operations and achievements, painting a picture of a robust, modern, and highly committed maritime force.

From January 2024 to March 2025, the PCG conducted 2.72 million inspections across the country, including pre-departure checks, vessel safety assessments, emergency readiness evaluations, and port state control measures.

“Behind every inspection is a promise: that every Filipino who sets sail will return home safely. Nearly 45,000 seaborne missions and over 3.1 million square nautical miles of patrols show both the scale of your responsibility and the depth of your determination,” Marcos said.

The president cited over 2,000 maritime incidents responded to by the PCG, which resulted in the rescue of nearly 4,500 individuals. These, he said, “tell a story of survival because someone in uniform answered the call.”

Environmental protection also remains a key PCG priority. According to Marcos, the PCG conducted 17,715 inspections of vessels and facilities and 555 shore-based patrols to enforce environmental standards.

The agency’s 33,633 sea marshaling operations led to the apprehension of 578 individuals involved in illegal maritime activities. “These figures are proof that the PCG remains a trusted guardian of peace and justice at sea,” Marcos said.

“For decades, the PCG has stood as a vigilant force across our seas — calm in crisis, firm in mission, (and) unshakable in your dedication to serve,” said Marcos. “Driven by your vision to become a highly professional, multi-missioned, and modernized maritime force, you have made enormous strides.”

The president also pointed to the PCG’s swift and decisive response during the MT Terra Nova oil spill incident as a “defining moment”, proving the agency’s preparedness and capability in maritime disaster response.

“That is what service looks like: Anticipating, acting with purpose, and leaving no community behind,” he emphasized.

To reinforce rapid deployment and interdiction capacity, Marcos said the PCG has distributed 36 high-speed rigid boats across its districts and has already carried out 130 maritime patrols and domain awareness activities.

Chinese Research Vessel Tan Suo 3. Photo credit: Philippine Coast Guard

PCG blocks Chinese research vessel in Philippines’ EEZ

The day before the president’s speech, the PCG launched a maritime law enforcement operation on May 5 to challenge and escort a Chinese research vessel found operating illegally within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

The Chinese research vessel (CRV) Tan Suo 3 was first detected on May 1, around 92 nautical miles off Burgos, Ilocos Norte. According to PCG Spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Commodore Jay Tarriela, the vessel’s erratic movements indicated possible unauthorized marine scientific research.

“During the operation, the PCG spotted a manned deep-sea submersible vessel fast approaching the Chinese Research Vessel, which was later retrieved by its crew. This submersible, known as the SHENHAI YONGSHI or Deep-Sea Warrior, is engineered for deep-sea exploration and scientific research,” Tarriela said.

The PCG also observed the deployment of a smaller boat to retrieve an “unidentified yellow piece of equipment,” possibly related to scientific exploration.

“The Chinese Research Vessel chose not to respond to our radio challenge, as they were focused on retrieving their deep-sea submersible,” Tarriela noted, adding that the vessel is “designed for deep-sea exploration and scientific research, capable of diving to depths of 4,500 meters”.

“These actions by the CRV clearly indicate that the People’s Republic of China is conducting unauthorized marine scientific research activities within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone, lacking the necessary legal authority for such operations,” he said.

Tarriela emphasized that their movements violated international maritime norms and Philippine sovereignty. The PCG instructed the vessel to cease its activities and exit the area.

Footage from the operation shows the Tan Suo 3 maneuvering to obstruct PCG aircraft from filming the retrieval process. 

“When we arrived, they immediately retrieved this Chinese submersible vessel,” Tarriela said while sharing the videos during a press briefing on May 6.

“It was actually retrieved from behind. They maneuvered the vessel so that the cameras would not be able to document the retrieval of the submersible research vessel.”

The PCG spokesperson said the Chinese vessel eventually left the area after the PCG deployed its largest patrol ship, BRP Teresa Magbanua. 

As of 10 am on May 6, the Chinese vessel was last seen 460 kilometers off Burgos, Ilocos Norte, Tarriela said, adding that the PCG was able to prevent the vessel from continuing its unlawful activities.

Top photo credit: Presidential Communications Office. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr (center) paid tribute to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) for protecting the country’s territory and sovereignty during the oath-taking ceremony of 29 newly promoted PCG officers at Malacañang Palace on May 6.