Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel along with over 30 suspected maritime militia were spotted warming the West Philippine Sea despite the diplomatic protests lodged by the Philippine government, the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) reported Thursday.
Citing a report from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) during its maritime domain awareness flight, the NTF-WPS said CCG “continued to maintain its presence” in the West Philippine Sea where 26 suspected Chinese maritime militia vessels were anchored over Sabina Shoal and four others on Ayungin Shoal.
"Maritime Domain Awareness flight over Ayungin and Sabina Shoals observed that the Chinese Coast Guard continued to maintain its presence in these areas within the Philippine EEZ. This despite diplomatic protests filed by the Dept. of Foreign Affairs," the PCG said in a statement.
"As PCG Cessna Caravan 2081 approached the airspace over Sabina Shoal it received inaudible radio challenges, both in English and Chinese, from CCG-5304 currently continuing to maintain a presence in the area," it added.
It added that a Chinese Coast Guard vessel also maintained a "constant close distance" from the Philippines' grounded warship BRP Sierra Madre.
PCG: As PCG Cessna Caravan 2081 approached the airspace over Sabina Shoal it recieved inaudible radio challenges, both in English and Chinese, from CCG-5304 currently continuing to maintain presence in the area | @dzrhnews pic.twitter.com/5IFfRz9sfu
— Christian Maño (@xtian_mano) February 22, 2023
PCG: Throughout PCG Cessna Caravan 2081's MDA flight it continued to issue radio challenges to both CCG vessels and suspected CMM vessels in the area in and around Ayungin and Sabina Shoals | @dzrhnews pic.twitter.com/QwgB8pBNbf
— Christian Maño (@xtian_mano) February 22, 2023
The development comes following the country's latest protest against Beijing over the contested waters, particularly the laser lighting incident to Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ship at Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.
National Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez first called the act committed by the Chinese vessel "offensive" and "unsafe."
While China denied the allegations, several countries, including the United States, have declared their support to the Philippines amid the dispute.
