The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has driven away another unauthorized foreign fishing vessel from the territorial waters of Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea following a maritime law enforcement operation on October 25, 2026.
In a statement, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela said personnel stationed on Pag-asa Island spotted the foreign fishing vessel approximately 2.7 nautical miles west of the island, near Sandy Cay, on Sunday morning.
The PCG immediately issued radio challenges directing the vessel to leave the area.
In the afternoon, the Coast Guard deployed High-Speed Response Boat HSRB-019, carrying a law enforcement team, to approach the vessel and issue further warnings through a loudhailer.
The team informed the vessel that fishing within Pag-asa Island’s territorial sea was prohibited without authorization and directed it to leave the area.
The PCG then escorted the vessel at a safe distance while continuing to issue warnings until it moved beyond the island’s territorial sea. HSRB-019 subsequently returned to Pag-asa without any reported untoward incident.
During the operation, China Coast Guard vessel 21581 and two rigid-hull inflatable boats reportedly followed HSRB-019 and closely monitored the PCG’s law enforcement activities.
According to the PCG, “the PCG team carried out the operation unhindered.”
The agency also stressed that the China Coast Guard has no lawful authority to exercise a policing role within Pag-asa Island’s territorial sea, adding that its continued presence in the waters is being closely monitored and documented.
The latest operation marked the seventh reported PCG action in less than four weeks to drive away foreign vessels from the Kalayaan Island Group.
Previous operations involved Chinese maritime militia vessel 9622 and its small boats near Kota Island on September 28 and October 9; five foreign fishing vessels near Kota Island on October 11; Chinese fishing vessel YUETAIYU 63168 and four small boats near Lawak Island on October 15; a foreign fishing vessel near Kota Island on October 18; and another foreign fishing vessel near Lawak Island on October 23.
Pag-asa Island, also known internationally as Thitu Island, serves as the seat of the Municipality of Kalayaan in Palawan and is home to a Filipino civilian community.
Under international law, the Philippines exercises sovereignty over its territorial sea, which generally extends up to 12 nautical miles from its baselines, subject to applicable rules on maritime delimitation. Foreign vessels do not have an unrestricted right to fish in these waters.
The PCG said unauthorized fishing activities may violate Philippine laws, including the Philippine Fisheries Code and the Philippine Maritime Zones Act.
Under the leadership of PCG Commandant Vice Admiral Rommel Supangan, the agency said it would deploy additional high-speed response boats to the Kalayaan Island Group to strengthen its capability to respond swiftly to maritime intrusions and maintain its presence in the area.
The operation was carried out in accordance with the guidance of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who declared in his July 27, 2026, State of the Nation Address that the Philippines would not surrender or waver in defending its territory and maritime rights in the West Philippine Sea.
The PCG said its actions remain guided by international law and the 2016 arbitral award concerning maritime disputes in the South China Sea.
