Philippine Coast Guard Tracks China Coast Guard Vessels off Pangasinan Coast
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has detected the movement of two China Coast Guard vessels approximately 34 nautical miles off the coast of Pangasinan through its Dark Vessel Detection (DVD) program.
In response, PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan has swiftly ordered the deployment of the PCG Islander aircraft to visually identify the vessels and initiate a radio challenge. At around 9:30 AM today, the PCG aircraft confirmed the illegal presence of the China Coast Guard vessels, identified by bow numbers 3301 and 3104. Notably, the CCG vessels did not respond to the radio challenge issued by the PCG.
Currently, two PCG vessels, BRP Cabra (MRRV-4409) and BRP Bagacay (MRRV-4410) both 44-meter ships, have been dispatched to Bolinao, Pangasinan, to address the illegal presence of the China Coast Guard and reinforce the Philippine government’s position against the normalization of illegal patrols by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
In alignment with the policy direction of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the PCG is committed to protecting the country’s maritime interests in accordance with international law. As it fulfills its patriotic duty, the PCG will uphold professionalism and vigilance to prevent any escalation of tensions.
https://x.com/jaytaryela/status/1885898728571306039
