The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) drove away a Chinese Maritime Militia Vessel (CMMV) and 24 small fishing boats reportedly deployed near Kota Island in the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) on September 28, 2026.

According to PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela, the CMMV 9622 was monitored at around 10 a.m. about 1.2 nautical miles northwest of Kota Island. It reportedly launched 24 small boats, or “sampans,” each carrying two people.

The boats spread out and were later observed operating within about 300 yards of the island while engaged in fishing, the PCG said.

At around 11 a.m., a five-member PCG team from Coast Guard Station Kota deployed on a rubber boat to challenge the vessels.

The PCG said the CMMV 9622 did not respond to its radio challenges, although its crew acknowledged the instructions to leave through hand signals.

Upon the arrival of the PCG team, the Chinese vessel and all 24 small boats withdrew from the area, according to the Coast Guard. No untoward incident was reported, and all PCG personnel returned safely to the station.

The PCG described the deployment of multiple small boats from a single vessel as a tactic that expands the mothership's reach and maintains a maritime presence under a civilian appearance.

It also said foreign fishing vessels operating without Philippine authority within the territorial sea of Kota Island violate Philippine sovereignty, Philippine fisheries laws and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The Coast Guard said it will continue to maintain its presence around Kota Island, challenge foreign vessels operating illegally in Philippine waters, and publicly report such activities.