MANILA – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel BRP Cabra’s strategic maneuvering has kept the Chinese Coast Guard vessel 3103 from getting closer to the Zambales coastline.
PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Commodore Jay Tarriela, said the vessel continues its vigilant monitoring of Chinese illegal presence within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
“Through the seamanship skills of the PCG personnel aboard, CCG-3103 has been successfully pushed further away and is now located approximately 80 to 90 nautical miles off the coast of Zambales,” Tarriela said Thursday evening in a post on X.
The crew also conducted hourly radio challenges to remind China of its violations of international law, he added.
Early this week, BRP Cabra replaced BRP Suluan in its close monitoring of illegal Chinese presence in the area.
The CCG-3103 also replaced the vessel 3304 operating illegally in the area for days.
“The Philippine Coast Guard remains committed to safeguarding the nation’s maritime rights and ensuring the enforcement of international maritime laws while avoiding any escalation of tensions,” Tarriela said.
The Philippines earlier filed a diplomatic protest over the presence of CCG and militia within the country’s EEZ. (PNA)