CCG SHOOED — The Chinese Coast Guard vessel 3304 that replaced the No. 3103 off the coast of Zambales. The Philippine Coast Guard was able to shoo it away farther from the Zambales coastline on Friday (Jan. 24, 2025). PNA, photo courtesy of Commodore Tarriela)

PH forces new CCG vessel farther from Zambales coastline

January 25, 2025 People's Tonight 82 views

THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has compelled a China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel to move farther from the Zambales coastline, officials reported on Saturday.

At 1 p.m. on Friday, the CCG replaced its vessel 3103 with its much larger ship, vessel 3304, which the PCG’s BRP Cabra managed to push away to a distance of 85 to 90 nautical miles from the Zambales coastline.

PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said the Chinese ship is now about 100 nautical miles from the province as of 6 a.m. Saturday.

Tarriela noted that China’s deployment of the larger vessel was “likely with the intention of outmaneuvering the PCG vessel due to its size and speed.”

The CCG vessel 3304 measures 111 meters in length and 46 meters in width, larger than the ship it replaced.

“Despite the imposing size of the CCG 3304, the PCG vessel continued to carry out hourly radio challenges, effectively notifying the CCG of its illegal presence in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone,” Tarriela said.

“The unwavering commitment of the BRP Cabra underscores the Philippine Coast Guard’s dedication to its patriotic duty of protecting the nation’s maritime rights in the West Philippine Sea,” he added. Philippine News Agency

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