A Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel and two rigid-hull inflatable boats tailed Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel as they drove away a Vietnamese vessel illegally fishing near Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea, maritime authorities reported Sunday.
PCG Spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela said the Vietnamese fishing vessel was spotted operating in the vicinity of Sandy Cay, located roughly 2.7 nautical miles off Pag-asa Island.
In response, the PCG deployed High-Speed Response Boat HSRB-019 to interdict the vessel and order its immediate departure from the island’s territorial sea.
“The PCG team did not stop at merely dislodging the vessel from its position. HSRB-019 escorted the vessel at a safe distance while continuing to issue warnings until it was driven away outside the territorial sea of Pag-asa Island,” Tarriela said in a statement. “HSRB-019 then returned to the island without any untoward incident.”
During the law enforcement action, CCG vessel 215 alongside two inflatable boats, which were maintaining a presence near the area, tailed the Philippine vessel and closely observed the operation.
Despite the shadowing, Tarriela confirmed that the PCG team conducted and completed the maritime operation unhindered.
However, Tarriela emphasized that Chinese forces possess “no lawful authority to exercise any policing role within the territorial sea of Pag-asa Island,” noting that their persistent presence in the area is being closely documented.
The operation marks the seventh time since September 28 that the PCG has driven away foreign fishing vessels, including Chinese and Vietnamese craft, unlawfully operating near Philippine-held features in the West Philippine Sea.
Tarriela reiterated that Pag-asa Island serves as the seat of the municipality of Kalayaan, Palawan, giving the country full sovereign rights over its surrounding waters under national and international law.
“Under international law, the Philippines exercises full sovereignty over its territorial sea, where no foreign vessel may fish without authorization,” Tarriela stressed. “Such activities likewise constitute violations of Philippine laws, including the Philippine Fisheries Code and the Philippine Maritime Zones Act.”