PCG patrols 9 days, spots CCG and militia vessels near Scarborough

From the Palawan News (Feb 11, 2024): PCG patrols 9 days, spots CCG and militia vessels near Scarborough (By Gerald Ticke)

A China Coast Guard vessel crosses the path of Philippine Coast Guard Vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua in an attempt to block it while conducting maritime patrol operation within Scarborough Shoal. - Photo grabbed from video posted by PCG spokesperson Commo. (Jay Tarriela in his X (Twitter) account)

The Philippine Coast Guard reported that the BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV 9701) completed a nine-day maritime patrol in the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc, during which it spotted eight China Coast Guard and maritime militia vessels that repeatedly shadowed its movements.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), PCG spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela stated that vessels from the CCG, identified by bow numbers 3105, 3302, 3063, and 3064, closely trailed the PCG vessel over 40 times, with the closest approach being at a distance of 176 meters.

He said there were also four other Chinese maritime militia vessels present in the area of Bajo de Masinloc (also Scarborough Shoal).

“The CCG vessels [also] performed dangerous and blocking maneuvers at sea against BRP Teresa Magbanua four times, with the CCG vessels crossing the bow of the PCG vessel twice, recklessly disregarding the “Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea” (COLREGS) once again,” he said.



“Nevertheless, the PCG vessel professionally engaged both the CCG and CMM vessels through radio, reiterating the clear and principled position of the Philippines in accordance with international law,” Tarriela added.

On February 1, the PCG deployed the BRP Teresa Magbanua to the shoal, an area within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the West Philippine Sea.

Its duties included performing maritime security patrols, providing food and supplies to Filipino fishermen, and protecting them from intimidation by CCG and militia vessels.

According to the 2016 Arbitral Award and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Tarriela said that the deployment is part of the PCG’s regular maritime security and patrol operation in the area. The goal is to strengthen the country’s territorial rights over Scarborough Shoal and its sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the surrounding waters as measured from the Philippine archipelagic baselines.

He said throughout the nine-day patrol, personnel of BRP Teresa Magbanua closely monitored and supported 100 fishermen aboard 14 fishing boats conducting regular fishing activities in the area, which is a traditional fishing ground for Filipino fisherfolk, “consistent with national laws and the Philippines’ position on the West Philippine Sea (WPS).”

He added that the crew of the vessel also distributed food packs and groceries to assist the fishermen, to which the fishermen expressed gratitude as well as their presence, which “enhances their confidence to continue fishing in Bajo de Masinloc.”

Last week, China claimed to have driven away the PCG vessel while conducting maritime operations in the area. The CCG also drove away fishermen from Scarborough Shoal, even ordering them to throw back to the sea the shells that they had gathered.

Meanwhile, U.S. security expert Ray Powell said that the claim in the CCG’s statement that it “drove away” a PCG vessel is a common display of bravado from China, often employed when a competing ship vacates an area unwanted by Chinese authorities.

The CCG asserted on Monday that it forced a PCG vessel to depart from waters near China’s Huangyan Island.

https://palawan-news.com/136316-2/