By Gabriela Baron
Foreign-flagged vessels, including China Coast Guard (CCG) and People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLAN) ships, were spotted in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported Thursday, March 30.
PCG said BRP Malapascua conducted a maritime patrol mission to the Kalayaan Island Group from March 16 to March 21.
In Sabina Shoal, BRP Malapascua monitored the presence of at least 20 Chinese and Vietnamese vessels.
The PCG vessel also encountered at least two CCG ships near the shoal.
“Multiple radio challenges were issued by the PCG vessel but no response was received,” PCG said, adding that Rigid-hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs) were deployed to disperse the foreign flagged vessels in and around the shoal.
Off the Pag-asa Island, BRP Malapascua also monitored the presence of a PLAN ship within Pag-asa’s 12 nautical mile territorial waters.
The PCG likewise issued multiple radio challenges while the PLAN vessel responded with its own challenge.
Meanwhile, while patrolling Ayungin Shoal in Palawan, BRP Malapascua also monitored another CCG vessel.
The PCG assures that it is working in conjunction with the Western Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Area Task Force – West to monitor and respond to the presence of foreign vessels in the WPS. – cf
