By Abbas Nazil
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has urged the international community to unite against China’s increasing maritime aggression in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), warning that unchecked actions could embolden further territorial encroachments across Southeast Asia.
PCG Spokesperson for WPS, Commodore Jay Tarriela, stressed the importance of exposing China’s unlawful activities within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) to prevent Beijing from reshaping the regional status quo.
“It is crucial for the Philippine Coast Guard to actively expose these unlawful deployments of Chinese vessels to the global community, ensuring such actions are not normalized and this bullying behavior does not succeed,” Tarriela stated on X (formerly Twitter).
On Saturday, the PCG reported the return of CCG 5901, a massive 165-meter, 12,000-ton vessel dubbed “The Monster,” spotted 97 nautical miles off Zambales. The ship replaced another Chinese vessel that had also been confronted by the Philippines’ BRP Teresa Magbanua.
Over the past two weeks, Chinese vessels have been taking turns patrolling the Philippine EEZ. Despite its size, the PCG said BRP Teresa Magbanua successfully blocked the CCG vessel from advancing closer to Philippine shores.
Related Posts
Tarriela warned that these maneuvers form part of China’s long-standing strategy to normalize its presence in disputed waters, cautioning that ignoring such actions could lead to a shift in the region’s status quo.
He highlighted that China’s aggressive tactics pose a threat not just to the Philippines but also to other nations with claims in the area, including Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
The Philippine government has expressed deep concern over China’s persistent activities in the WPS.
Malacañang reiterated its commitment to protecting the country’s territorial integrity, echoing the PCG’s call for a united international response.
The PCG emphasized that global collaboration is essential to uphold international maritime law and protect the sovereignty of nations in the region.
Tarriela urged decisive action, warning that unchecked provocations could destabilize Southeast Asia’s maritime landscape.
The situation underscores the broader risks of China’s moves in the WPS, with the Philippines advocating for collective efforts to counter aggression and maintain regional stability.
