The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) BRP Cabra shadowed two China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels during a routine maritime patrol mission in the vicinity 26.22 nautical miles east of Bajo De Masinloc and 93.63 nautical miles west northwest of Paluig, Zambales.

The 44-meter BRP Cabra issued radio challenges to the China Coast Guard vessels, 4305 (Type 301 Zhaokai-class 134-meter-Patrol Vessel) and CCG-3305 (Type 056A-derived 111-meter-Patrol Vessel / Shucha II-class Variant) and ordered the Chinese ship to depart Philippine waters immediately.

The challenge cited violations of the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling that invalidated China’s excessive maritime claims in the South China Sea.

The PCG said it will continue routine and legitimate patrols to protect national sovereignty and prevent the normalization of unlawful Chinese presence. Philippine Coast Guard