Several Chinese and Vietnamese vessels were spotted in the territorial waters of Kalayaan Island Groups in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported on Thursday, March 30.
The PCG said in a statement that at least 20 Chinese and Vietnamese vessels were spotted during BRP Malapascua's maritime patrol (MARPAT) mission in Sabina Shoal on March 16. It likewise encountered two CCGVs near the shoal.
"The PCG vessel issued multiple radio challenges, but it received no response. BRP Malapascua (MRRV-4403) also deployed rigid-hull inflatable boats (RHIBs) to disperse the foreign-flagged vessels in and around the shoal," it said.
Meanwhile, in PAGASA Island, the Coast Guard encountered the People's Liberation Army-Navy (PLAN) Type 056A Jiangdao II Class Missile Corvette.
The PLAN vessel did not respond to the PCG vessel's multiple radio challenges, PCG said.
On the other hand, the presence of CCGV was monitored along the Ayungin Shoal, and this came close to the PCG vessel from BRP Sierra Madre, the Philippine Navy grounded warship.
The Coast Guard said it is working with the Western Command (WESCOM) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Area Task Force-West (ATF-WEST) in monitoring the response to the presence of the two foreign vessels in WPS.
"PCG and AFP-WESCOM's MARPAT missions remain invaluable in protecting and securing the country's rights and interests in the WPS," it said.
