A CHINESE Coast Guard (CCG) vessel “illegally patrolling” off the coast of Zambales has employed a Long-Range Acoustic Device (LRAD) to harass a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ship, preventing it from advancing.
In a statement, the PCG said amid the continued effort of the BRP Cabra to drive away Chinese elements from approaching the coastline of Zambales, the CCG vessels had been pushed back to a position between 90 and 95 nautical miles from the shore.
The PCG forces continue to shadow the CCG at close distances while conducting hourly radio challenges to assert that the Chinese presence violates the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos), and the 2016 Arbitral Award.
As of Saturday, January 25, CCG-3103 has replaced CCG-3304 and it appears to be escorted by CCG-5901 or the so-called “Chinese monster ship.”
The PCG said CCG-3103 is using an LRAD, which produces a high decibel noise level that can be painful and damaging to hearing in an attempt to deter the PCG ship’s proximity.
“Despite the harassment and the intimidating presence of the Chinese monster ship, BRP Cabra remains committed to its mission. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) continues to uphold its mandate of safeguarding the nation's maritime jurisdiction while striving to avoid provocation and escalation,” it said.
China’s monster ship has been spotted in the waters within the Philippine’s Exclusive Economic Zone since last year.
On January 14, it was monitored 77 miles west of Capones Island in Zambales.
China refused to recognize a 2016 arbitral ruling invalidating its claims within the sea areas falling within the nine-dash line, which is over 90 percent of the West Philippine Sea.
It has been insisting on sovereignty in the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea), releasing in August 2023 an updated “official standard map” of its geographical territories which now includes a ten-dash line. (TPM/SunStar Philippines)