PH lodges protest vs China for illegal Coast Guard

PH lodges protest vs China for illegal Coast Guard presence in EEZ
THE PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER | Published January 13, 2025

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government has filed a diplomatic protest against the continued illegal presence and operations of Chinese Coast Guard vessels within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

In a statement on Monday, the National Maritime Council (NMC) aired the Philippines’ objection to the continued illegal presence and activities of Chinese maritime forces and militia within the country’s territorial sea and EEZ.

According to NMC, these actions clearly violate Republic Act No. 12064, the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, and international laws, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 arbitral ruling.

PH lodges protest vs China for illegal Coast Guard presence in EEZ | INQToday

“The vessels and air assets of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) were immediately deployed when the illegal presence and operations of China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels, CCG 5901 and CCG 3304, were respectively detected on [January] 5 and 10, 2025 in and around the waters of Bajo de Masinloc and about 70-90 nautical miles from the coastlines of the province of Zambales,” said NMC.

 

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SOURCE: www.inquirer.net

RELATED: NMC slams Chinese maritime forces’ illegal activities in PH territory

ILLEGAL. A Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy helicopter follows Filipino fishing boats at Rozul Reef in the West Philippine Sea on Nov. 27, 2024. The National Maritime Council on Monday (Jan. 13, 2025) said the Philippines strongly opposes the continued illegal presence and activities of Chinese maritime and militia forces in the country’s territorial sea and exclusive economic zone. (File photo courtesy of PCG)
PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY | Published January 13,  2025

MANILA – The National Maritime Council (NMC) on Monday said the Philippines strongly opposes the continued illegal presence and activities of Chinese maritime and militia forces in the country’s territorial sea and exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

The NMC emphasized that illegal activities by the Chinese are clear violations of Republic Act 12064 or the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Ruling that affirmed the Philippines’ sovereign rights in its maritime zones, especially in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

“The Philippine government has been vigilant and unwavering in upholding the country’s sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction within its maritime zones,” the NMC statement read.

“The vessels and air assets of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) were immediately deployed when the illegal presence and operations of China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels, CCG 5901 and CCG 3304, were respectively detected on 5 and 10 January 2025 in and around the waters of Bajo de Masinloc and about 70-90 NMs (nautical miles) from the coastlines of the province of Zambales,” it added.

Showing the Philippines’ resolve to protect its territories, the PCG continuously conducted radio challenges against the Chinese ships and demanded that they leave the country’s territory immediately.

However, instead of complying with the PCG’s demand, the Chinese government deployed a People’s Liberation Army-Navy helicopter that hovered over the Filipino vessel.

“Likewise, the Philippines has sovereign rights and jurisdiction beyond Bajo de Masinloc’s territorial sea, over waters within the Philippines’ EEZ measured from its lawful archipelagic baselines,” it added.

 

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SOURCE: www.pna.gov.ph

 

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