PCG shoos away Chinese warship in WPS
Proving that they are ready to protect Philippine waters from possible invaders, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has sent away anew a Chinese vessel, this time a “warship,” in Marie Louise Bank, located 147 nautical miles from the coastal waters of El Nido, Palawan.
PCG spokesperson Commodore Armand Balilo said the incident transpired last 13 July, when PCG personnel chanced upon the warship hoisting a Chinese flag and markings on its body, at the said vicinity.
The report noted that PCG officer, Commander Erwin Tolentino, calmly radioed and sent verbal challenge at the Chinese vessel, asking for it to vacate the Philippine waters.
When it did not receive any response from the Chinese ship, the PCG vessel repeatedly sent their challenge until it responded: “Philippine Coast Guard 4409, this is Chinese Navy Warship 189. Please keep two nautical miles distance from me.”
But the PCG’s BRP Cabra (MRRV-4409) did not get intimidated, and used “Rules on the Use of Force (RUF),” making the Chinese warship to move away from the said vicinity, with the speed of 9.4 knots.
After the challenge, using Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD), the Chinese vessel maneuvered towards outside the Marie Louise Bank, and was subsequently followed by BRP Cabra to make sure that it will leave the premises of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
The PCG said the engagement with the vessel was based on the RUF or the “PCG Manual On Rules On The Use Of Force Within The Philippines” EEZ’ to ensure that the procedure follows “rulesbased and peaceful approach.”
After this, Balilo said the Philippine vessel also chanced upon a Filipino fishing vessel F/B XIROXIRA with fishermen from San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, and doing fishing activity at Marie Louise Bank.
Upon consultation, the fishermen told the PCG that they are not experiencing any harassment from anyone at the said area, in which they added that they continue to enjoy the bank’s abundant resources.
Philippine vessel also chanced upon a Filipino fishing vessel F/B XIROXIRA with fishermen from San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, and doing fishing activity at Marie Louise Bank.
The patrol exercises of the PCG were still part of the “Task Force Pagsasanay” launched on 6 April 2021 by PCG Commandant, Admiral George V Ursabia Jr., through the directives of Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade. It was meant to uphold the sovereignty and protection of the Philippine waters and EEZ, including the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Last week, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque clarified that fishermen in the WPS, particularly Bajo De Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) in Zambales, were not barred from entering the said vicinity waters. This was attested by the PCG and the local government of Masinloc, five years after the country was favored by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, rejecting China’s far-reaching claims over the contested waters.
Despite the milestone ruling, Beijing still refuses to acknowledge the Philippines’ victory, calling the country’s victory at South China Sea as “illegal, null and void,” and branded as “nothing more than a piece of waste paper” by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian.