China’s presence in Zambales aims to assert 10-dash line claim– PCG

Metro Manila, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has stated that China's continued presence in the waters off Zambales is part of its effort to assert its historic 10-dash line claim in the South China Sea.

In a statement on Sunday, Jan. 12, the PCG explained that satellite imagery analysis shows that China’s coast guard vessels are deployed along the grid coordinates corresponding to the fourth dash on the 10-dash line map.

“Their goal is to normalize such deployments, and if these actions go unnoticed and unchallenged, it will enable them to alter the existing status quo,” the PCG said.

“This strategy of normalization, followed by altering the status quo and ultimately operationalizing their illegal narrative, has consistently been part of the Chinese playbook,” the Coast Guard added.

The PCG emphasized that the Philippines will continue to raise awareness about China's unlawful vessel deployments, making the issue known to the global community.

The 2016 arbitral ruling largely discredited China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea. However, Beijing has consistently rejected the ruling, declaring it illegal and void.

In a separate statement on Saturday, the PCG reported that China Coast Guard vessel (CCG 5901), known as the ‘monster,’ had returned to the vicinity of Zambales waters. However, the Philippine vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua successfully confronted the ship.

The Chinese Embassy in Manila has yet to comment on the new statement of the PCG.