18-2-2024 (MANILA) The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has expressed alarm as Chinese vessels continue to engage in risky maneuvers in the West Philippine Sea, despite the presence of PCG and Philippine maritime assets.
Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesman for the West Philippine Sea, revealed during a news forum in Quezon City on Saturday that they have closely monitored four Chinese vessels, specifically CCG 3063 and 3064, which were deployed to guard the southeast entrance of Bajo de Masinloc.
According to reports, these vessels deploy floating barriers whenever Philippine vessels are detected in the vicinity, obstructing their movement.
Tarriela also highlighted the actions of CCG 3302 and 3105, which he described as engaging in “dangerous maneuvers” to impede Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and PCG vessels from approaching Bajo de Masinloc.
“These are the four Chinese maritime militia vessels that we have documented, which actively participated in blocking and carrying out dangerous maneuvers to prevent the BFAR vessel from getting close to Bajo de Masinloc,” Tarriela said.
“We have experienced dangerous maneuvers and shadowing, not just from the PLA (People’s Liberation Army) Navy, but also from the Chinese Coast Guard and the Chinese maritime militia. There is also participation from the Chinese maritime militia,” he added.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed the PCG and the BFAR to strengthen the country’s presence in the contested waters.
This recent incident comes just two months after heated confrontations between China and the Philippines near contested reefs in the West Philippine Sea. These confrontations involved collisions between vessels from both nations and the use of water cannons by Chinese ships against Philippine boats.
China asserts control over nearly the entire sea, disregarding the ruling of an international tribunal that deemed its claims illegitimate. The country consistently deploys its boats to patrol the busy waterway and has militarized artificial islands to reinforce its territorial assertions.
Last month, Chinese and Philippine officials agreed to hold further discussions on “maritime emergencies” in the area due to escalating tensions.
