A China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel shadowed and blocked the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel BRP Cabra on Sunday, 170 kilometers off Zambales. GMA Integrated News obtained exclusive footage showing the Chinese vessel, 3302, continuing to approach and block the Cabra despite radio challenges. At one point, the Chinese vessel was only 16 meters from the Philippine vessel.
PCG spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela confirmed that the BRP Cabra was able to avoid a collision thanks to the seamanship skills of the PCG sailors. “Thanks to the seamanship skills of our coast guard sailors, we were able to prevent them from delivering another possible collision,” Tarriela said.
This incident is not the first time the CCG has approached a PCG vessel. Tarriela noted that the PCG aims to prevent China from claiming control over the area. Meanwhile, another CCG vessel was seen following a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessel.
Maritime security expert Raymond Powell also reported that a 134-meter CCG vessel shadowed the BRP Datu Bankaw up to 100 nautical miles from Busuanga Islands, Palawan. Additionally, a Chinese research vessel was spotted near northern Batanes following a visit from US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
During his visit, Hegseth announced plans for advanced bilateral forces training in Batanes. Philippine Ambassador to the US, Jose Manuel Romualdez, cited China’s continued aggression in the West Philippine Sea as a reason for the Philippines’ push to modernize its armed forces, including the procurement of fighter jets expected to be delivered in 2027.