The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) confronted a vessel of the China Coast Guard (CCG) to prevent it from advancing further into Philippine waters.
According to the Coast Guard, the 99-meter CCG 3302 vessel was seen approaching within a distance of 83 to 85 nautical miles from Palauig, Zambales.
The PCG issued a radio challenge, asserting that the patrol of the Chinese vessel constitutes a violation of the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the 2016 Arbitral Award.
In a statement, the PCG said that Philippine authorities will continue patrolling the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) to emphasize to the Chinese that their illegal activities in the West Philippine Sea are unacceptable.
It was also noted that the CCG 3302 is just one of nine Chinese vessels reported to be patrolling within the Philippine EEZ as of January.
This same vessel was involved in a water cannon attack and collision with the BRP Datu Pagbuaya of the Philippines during a mission near Scarborough Shoal in December 2024.
