Philippine, Chinese coast guards cross paths anew near Panatag Shoal

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Philippine and Chinese coast guard vessels engaged once again in another close encounter at the West Philippine Sea.

A report of Oscar Oida on GMA News TV’s “News To Go” program featured a video recorded from the Philippines’ BRP Nueva Ecija showing the encounter that ocurred on Friday.

The vessels of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Chinese Coast Guard were shown moving too closely side by side the near Panatag Shoal (old Spanish name: Bajo de Masinloc).

Via radio communication, the PCG informed the Chinese vessel that it has entered Philippine terroritory.

“Chinese Coast Guard vessel 1104, this is Philippine Coast Guard vessel 003 together with MCS 3001 you are conducting routine patrol in our exclusive economic zone. Please come in,” a PCG personnel said.

The Chinese vessel did not respond to the call.

The PCG again radioed its message to the Chinese ship which responded: “Philippine Coast Guard this is Chinese Coast Guard. We are currently conducting a patrol in our exclusive economic area under the jurisdiction of People’s Republic of China.”

Oida’s report said encounters between the PCG and the Chinese Coast Guard have been occuring on the disputed waters since July 12 when the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in favor of the Philippines in its maritime case against China.

“Para madama rin yung presensya ng gobyerno doon sa area… Ibig sabihin, dahil mayroong ITLOS [International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea] na napanalunan, walang reason kung bakit hindi tayo dapat mag-patrol,” PCG spokesperson Commander Armand Balilo said.

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