The Philippine Coast Guard's BRP Cabra intercepted three Chinese Coast Guard vessels approaching Zambales, maintaining a buffer zone in the West Philippine Sea. This action prevented the ships from entering closer to the country's exclusive economic zone. The incident highlights ongoing tensions in the disputed waters.
On Sunday, November 30, the Philippine Coast Guard deployed its 44-meter vessel, BRP Cabra, to counter the approach of three China Coast Guard ships toward Zambales. The BRP Cabra positioned itself against CCG vessel 21562 while monitoring the other two via radar in waters off the province, according to PCG spokesperson Jay Tarriela.
Tarriela stated that the maneuver successfully kept the Chinese vessels 85 to 100 nautical miles from the boundary of the Philippines' exclusive economic zone. He emphasized that the BRP Cabra maintained a protective buffer during the operation.
The PCG condemned the presence of the CCG vessels as illegal, referencing violations of the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and the 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated China's expansive claims in the South China Sea. CCG vessel 21562 was previously involved in firing water cannons at a Philippine fisheries vessel near Scarborough Shoal in September, which injured a crew member.
This encounter occurs amid a surge in Chinese vessel activity in the West Philippine Sea. As of November 24, Philippine Navy monitoring detected at least 30 Chinese military and coast guard ships near four features in the area, with 12 concentrated at Scarborough Shoal. China asserts nearly the entire South China Sea through its nine-dash line, dismissing the 2016 ruling.
In August, a Chinese destroyer reportedly rammed a CCG vessel during a chase involving a Philippine patrol boat near Scarborough Shoal, damaging the coast guard ship's bow. These incidents underscore persistent maritime disputes in the region.