The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) on Saturday, October 10, condemned the intrusion of a Chinese maritime militia vessel and 22 sampans (wooden Chinese boats) into the territorial sea of Kota Island in Palawan a day earlier.
In a statement, the NTF-WPS said the Chinese vessels engaged in unauthorized fishing and reportedly dumped waste at sea, with one sampan approaching within 250 meters of the island’s shoreline.
The task force also reported that the Chinese mothership maneuvered around and encircled Philippine vessels as Coast Guard personnel, supported by the Philippine Marine Corps and the Philippine Navy, responded to the intrusion. The Chinese vessel’s master allegedly claimed the area as Chinese territory and ordered the Philippine team to leave.
“Kota Island is an integral part of the Municipality of Kalayaan, Palawan, and its territorial sea is under Philippine sovereignty,” the NTF-WPS said, adding that China’s claim over the area has no basis under international law.
The task force said the incident involved the same Chinese maritime militia vessel that deployed 24 sampans near the island on September 28. All Chinese vessels eventually departed following the coordinated response of Philippine forces.
“The Philippines will continue to respond firmly, lawfully, and resolutely to protect its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national interests in the West Philippine Sea,” the NTF-WPS said.
The task force also cited Republic Act No. 12064, or the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, and Republic Act No. 8550, or the Philippine Fisheries Code, as amended by Republic Act No. 10654, in condemning the reported activities.
