(Photo courtesy of PCG)
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) drove away an unauthorized foreign fishing vessel spotted within the territorial waters of Kota Island in the Kalayaan Island Group, Palawan, on October 18, 2026.
According to the PCG, its High-Speed Response Boat HSRB-019 detected the vessel approximately 1.75 nautical miles north-northwest of Kota Island, well within the island’s 12-nautical-mile territorial sea.
The response boat immediately approached the area to support two PCG rubber boats already confronting the foreign vessel.
Coast Guard personnel maintained a close presence and repeatedly issued radio warnings ordering the vessel to leave Philippine territorial waters.
The foreign fishing vessel eventually withdrew without incident, allowing the PCG boats to return safely to Kota Island.
The latest encounter marked the PCG’s fourth operation in three weeks to expel unauthorized foreign vessels from waters surrounding Kota Island.
Previous operations included the removal of Chinese Maritime Militia Vessel 9622 and its smaller boats on September 28 and October 9, as well as five foreign fishing vessels on October 11.
On October 15, the PCG also drove away a Chinese fishing vessel and four smaller boats operating near Lawak Island.
The Coast Guard emphasized that Kota Island forms part of the municipality of Kalayaan, Palawan, and that unauthorized fishing by foreign vessels within its territorial sea violates Philippine maritime and fisheries laws.
Under international law, the Philippines exercises sovereignty over its territorial sea, including the authority to regulate fishing activities.
The PCG said the deployment of HSRB-019 strengthens its ability to respond quickly to unauthorized maritime activities in the Kalayaan Island Group.
Under PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, the agency vowed to maintain patrols and maritime surveillance operations in coordination with the Philippine Marine Corps.
The Coast Guard added that its operations follow President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to protect Philippine maritime territory, uphold the 2016 Arbitral Award, and safeguard the rights of Filipino fishermen.
