The PHILIPPINE Coast Guard (PCG) on Sunday said China may violate the exclusive economic zones (EEZs) of other countries if the deployment of its vessels in Philippine waters remains unchallenged.
This was after a large Chinese patrol vessel returned to the Philippines’ EEZ in the South China Sea and attempted to approach the coast of Zambales.
Beijing’s goal is to “normalize these deployments, and if these actions are ignored and unopposed, they will be able to change the status quo,” Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Jay Tristan Tarriela said in a statement, citing a satellite image.
“This strategy of normalization, followed by changing the situation and finally using their illegal narrative, has always been part of the Chinese playbook,” he added.
The PCG on Saturday marked the eighth day of “vigilant monitoring and pursuit” of Chinese Coast Guard vessels “illegally operating” within the Philippine EEZ.
PCG first reported the presence of China Coast Guard-5901 on Jan. 5, it says that it sent quickly 44.5 meters. BRP Cabra after the “huge vessel” was detected using Canada’s black vessel detection system.
The irregular movement of the vessel within the Philippine EEZ “shows that it is not involved in an innocent area,” the PCG said, adding that it is “conducting law enforcement work, claiming jurisdiction over these waters as that of the People’s Republic of China.”
In the afternoon of Jan. 8, the PCG said that the large Chinese vessel had left the coast of Zambales and was to be replaced by the China Coast Guard-3103, which departed from Guangdong province on Jan. 7.
But on Jan. 9, the PCG noted that China Coast Guard vessel-3103 was being replaced by vessel 3304, which was “illegally sailing” about 70-80 miles (129.6-148.2 kilometers) off the coast of Zambales on Jan. .
On Saturday, the PCG said BRP Teresa Magbanua it slowly pushed ship 3304 off the coast of Zambales, prompting Beijing to send its flagship again in an attempt to overtake the Philippine ship.
“Despite the overwhelming size of CCG-5901, the PCG vessel bravely approached on its starboard side, successfully preventing the efforts of the Chinese Coast Guard vessel to approach the coast of Zambales,” the PCG said.
It said the monster vessel was located 97 miles off the coast of Zambales.
Mr. Tarriela said China would have the courage to violate the EEZ of other countries such as Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia and Indonesia if the international community continues to do nothing amid the “illegal deployment” of Chinese troops.
Secretary General Lucas P. Bersamin, who heads the National Maritime Council, earlier said the Philippine government was viewing with “concern” the presence of a large vessel within the Philippine EEZ.
“The Coast Guard, our Coast Guard, has been very vigilant in tracking the presence of that large vessel.”
Mr. Tarriela said the PCG would continue to “actively expose” to the international community what it called illegal Chinese shipping, “to ensure that such actions are not common and that this thuggish behavior does not succeed.” – Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza
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