On 9th anniversary of PH arbitral win, Chinese vessels spotted off PH waters

Metro Manila, Philippines - The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) issued radio challenges to Chinese vessels spotted off the Mindoro coast on Saturday, July 12 - coinciding with the ninth anniversary of the 2016 arbitral ruling on the South China Sea.

In a press statement, the Coast Guard said it monitored People’s Liberation Army navy warships and a Chinese Coast Guard Vessel (CCG), about 69.31 nautical miles off Cabra Island, Occidental Mindoro.

The PCG said it established radio communication with the PLA Navy warship 793 but it didn’t respond. Its escort vessel, CCG 4023 replied and asserted its jurisdiction over these waters.

Another PLA warship 164 later joined other Chinese vessels.

“Additionally, it has been observed that PLA Navy warship 164 is conducting helicopter landing exercises on its flight deck, with continuous activity recorded throughout the morning,” the PCG noted.

The agency urged Beijing to “answer the radio communications from the PCG, and desist from the conduct of unauthorized patrols or law enforcement-related activities in the Philippine exclusive economic zone.”

On Saturday, government agencies renewed its commitment to uphold international law, with Defense chief Gilbert Teodoro saying that “no amount of pressure, reinterpretation, or power plays can erase the truth” behind the landmark ruling.

At least 27 countries have backed Manila in its historical arbitral win.