PH vessel prevents Chinese ship from nearing Zambales coast

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel monitoring a Chinese ship off Zambales has successfully prevented the latter from getting closer to the province’s coastline.

In a statement on Thursday evening, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said the “strategic maneuvering” of BRP Cabra has effectively kept Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel 3103 from nearing the Zambales coast.

“Through the seamanship skills of the PCG personnel aboard, CCG-3103 has been successfully pushed further away and is now located approximately 80 to 90 nautical miles off the coast of Zambales,” Tarriela added.

“Additionally, the crew of BRP Cabra has consistently conducted hourly radio challenges to remind the CCG crew of China’s blatant violations of international law,” he further said.



On Wednesday evening, Tarriela reported that BRP Cabra replaced BRP Suluan in patrolling the area, where a Chinese vessel was illegally operating.

On Tuesday, PCG reported that China’s "Monster" ship left the area near Zambales. It was last spotted 19 nautical miles from Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) around 9 p.m.

Beijing’s continued aggression was based on its assertion of sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, including most of the West Philippine Sea, as it continues to reject the 2016 arbitral ruling that effectively dismissed its claims and ruled in favor of Manila.

(2025/01/23-21:29)