China deploys another vessel near Zambales

MANILA, Philippines —The China Coast Guard (CCG) sustained its presence in the West Philippine Sea miles away from the shores of Zambales province, with a new patrol ship replacing another vessel and its “monster ship” almost 20 nautical miles away from Panatag or Scarborough Shoal, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commodore Jay Tarriela reported.

The 77.7-meter CCG patrol ship with bow number 3103 took over the position of CCG vessel with bow number 3304 with a length of 111 meters, he said in a statement last Jan. 21.

Personnel onboard PCG’s 44-meter patrol vessel BRP Suluan flagged CCG 3103 that was spotted 65 nautical miles off the coast of San Antonio, Zambales, according to a video shared to journalists by Tarriela, PCG’s spokesman on West Philippine Sea issues. Suluan replaced BRP Gabriela Silang which patrolled the area since Jan. 15.

As usual, the PCG through Suluan sent radio challenges to CCG 3103 – which was also done to CCG 3304 and the “monster ship” 165-meter CCG 5901 – notifying it of violating Republic Act 12064 or the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the 2016 arbitral award that upheld the Philippines’ sovereign rights over its 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

BRP Suluan also detected the three CCG ships within the West Philippine Sea, according to Tarriela.

At 9 p.m., CCG 5901 was around 19 nautical miles from Panatag or Scarborough Shoal also called Bajo de Masinloc, while CCG 3304 was approaching the shoal at 28 nautical miles, and CCG 3103 was last spotted at 76 nautical miles off the coast of Pundaquit in Zambales.

The PCG patrol ship would continue to “closely monitor” the activities of the three CCG ships within the West Philippine Sea, he declared.

“The Philippine Coast Guard remains steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding the country’s maritime interests and upholding international law without escalating tensions,” he concluded in his statement.

Panatag Shoal, considered a traditional fishing area for Filipinos, has been a flashpoint for both Filipino and Chinese forces. The standoff in 2012 forced the Philippines to file a case against China at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2012, which led to the landmark 2016 arbitral ruling.

Congress is committed to the welfare and development of Pag-asa Island and its residents in Palawan, Speaker Martin Romualdez gave assurance yesterday in a message read on his behalf by committee on foreign affairs chairperson and Pangasinan Rep.  Rachel Arenas during the House delegation’s visit.

The delegation, led by the House committee on foreign affairs, distributed food and grocery good to the island’s 230 residents, including military and uniformed personnel last Jan. 6.

“I know the challenges of being at a distance from the primary city, the lack of facilities, and the hardship of facing your needs each day. Despite of this, you remain strong,” Romualdez said, as he lauded the residents’ resilience and dedication and vowed that Congress would not ignore their needs.

Romualdez also assured the residents that the government, under the leadership of President Marcos, is fully committed to enhancing their welfare.

Among the concrete measures announced was establishing a rural health unit. The Speaker also highlighted ongoing and future livelihood programs aimed at providing economic opportunities for the residents, promising that Congress will continue to push for the necessary resources to help them thrive.

A boodle fight lunch was also held for military personnel stationed on the island, highlighting the House’s recognition of their service and sacrifices.

Maritime Zones Law crash course

Majority Leader Francis Tolentino said the PCG should require its 4,000 new recruits to undergo a crash course on the newly enacted Philippine Maritime Zones Act (Republic Act 12064), particularly the conflict in the WPS, to help them better understand the bounds of the country’s territorial sea.

Tolentino, the principal author of RA 12064, proposed the crash course, through its spokesperson Commodore Algier Ricafrente, who was interviewed on the senator’s radio program “Usapang TOL.”

“Beyond basic training and physical formations, the PCG’s new recruits must undergo a crash course on the Philippine Maritime Zones Act,” said Tolentino. “This would help them better understand the metes and bounds of our territorial sea, international waters, exclusive economic zone, and so on. These are basic knowledge, but very important, especially when there are challenges [to foreign ships entering the WPS],” Tolentino added.

Ricafrente told Tolentino that the new recruits, who will be deployed to various regional offices, have bolstered the PCG’s 35,000 personnel. He welcomed the Senate’s recent passage of House Bill 10841, which sets a three-year fixed term for PCG commandant.

Ricafrente added that the measure would allow the PCG leadership to carry out its long-term plans and programs, which would benefit maritime safety and security. – Jose Rodel Clapano, Cecille Suerte Felipe