The Philippine government has strongly denounced the continued presence and provocative actions of Chinese vessels in the country’s territorial waters, particularly within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
The term West Philippine Sea refers only to waters within the Philippines’ 200-nautical-mile EEZ, not to the entire South China Sea.
On January 13, the National Maritime Council (NMC) confirmed that the country had filed a diplomatic protest against Beijing’s persistent deployment of China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels and Chinese Maritime Militia ships.
“These actions are clear violations of the Philippine Maritime Zones Act (Republic Act No. 12064) and international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Ruling that affirmed the Philippines’ sovereign rights in its maritime zones, especially in the WPS,” the NMC said in a statement.
The council reported that Philippine authorities detected Chinese Coast Guard vessels CCG 5901 and CCG 3304 in the country’s waters on January 5 and January 10, respectively. These vessels operated near Bajo de Masinloc and approximately 70 to 90 nautical miles off the coastline of Zambales.
“The vessels and air assets of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) were immediately deployed when the illegal presence and operations of Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessels were detected,” the NMC said. “The PCG continuously challenged CCG 5901 and CCG 3304 and told them to leave the area immediately.”
In a further escalation, China deployed a People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) helicopter to hover above a PCG vessel conducting lawful patrols.
“The Philippines strongly opposes the continued illegal presence and operations of the CCG vessels, as well as the provocative actions of the PLA-N helicopter, within the country’s maritime zones,” the NMC said.
“The Philippine government has been vigilant and unwavering in upholding the country’s sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction within its maritime zones,” it stated.
The council reiterated that Bajo de Masinloc and its surrounding waters remain under Philippine sovereignty, as affirmed by both national and international law.
“Likewise, the Philippines has sovereign rights and jurisdiction beyond Bajo de Masinloc’s territorial sea, over waters within the Philippines’ EEZ measured from its lawful archipelagic baselines. These maritime zones, as declared in the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, are under the 1982 UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral Ruling. China does not have any basis to conduct law enforcement activities or maritime patrols over these waters,” the council emphasized.
The NMC called on China to respect Philippine laws and comply with its international obligations, demanding an end to actions that infringe on the country’s sovereign rights.
“China should direct its vessels to desist from conducting illegal actions that violate the Philippines’ sovereign rights in its EEZ,” the NMC said.
“In view of the situation, the Philippines has filed the appropriate diplomatic protest to counter China’s recent illegal actions in the West Philippine Sea,” the NMC emphasized.
The NMC highlighted that Philippine authorities remain resolute in protecting the country’s territories, with the PCG actively challenging the intrusions through radio communications and deploying its assets to safeguard national sovereignty.
Reports of CCG’s “monster ship”, vessel 5901, revealed that the ship has been operating within the Philippines’ EEZ, just 97 nautical miles from Zambales, since January 5.
“The escalatory actions of these Chinese vessels and aircraft clearly disregard Philippine and international laws, as their actions are inconsistent with the exercise of freedom of navigation and innocent passage, as well as the exercise of rights and observance of duties by other States in the Philippines’ EEZ under the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, 1982 UNCLOS, and the 2016 Arbitral Ruling,” the council said.
PCG Islander monitors Chinese “monster ship”
Meanwhile, Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG’s spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, confirmed the PCG’s continued vigilance against Chinese incursions in Philippine waters, specifically the presence of the “monster ship”.
“The PCG has ensured that the Chinese Coast Guard Vessel 5901, known as the “monster ship,” is closely monitored through the deployment of the PCG Islander for aerial maritime patrols,” Tarriela said in a Viber message on the night of January 13.
He further noted: “This afternoon, the PCG Islander asserted a firm position against the illegal presence of the Chinese monster ship within the Philippines’ EEZ by issuing a radio challenge.”
Tarriela emphasized that China has no legal authority to claim legitimacy for its maritime patrols in the Philippines’ EEZ. He said the Chinese vessel was tracked approximately 67 nautical miles off the coast of Zambales.
The PCG reiterated its critical role in not only monitoring Chinese vessels but also preventing any attempts to normalize illegal Chinese maritime operations within the Philippines’ waters.
China’s aggressive actions stem from its sweeping claims over the South China Sea, including the WPS — claims invalidated by an arbitral tribunal in 2016.
Despite international condemnation, Beijing continues to assert its presence in the region, prompting the Philippine government to take firm diplomatic and operational measures to protect its maritime zones.
Photo credit: PCG. Chinese Coast Guard vessel CCG 5901.