PCG blasts CCG attempts to ram BRP Cabra

COLLISION COURSE. China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel 3302 is seen barreling toward BRP Cabra of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in a video taken by PCG personnel at the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on Monday (April 7, 2025). PCG Spokesperson for the WPS Commodore Jay Tarriela said CCG-3302 made multiple attempts to ram BRP Cabra during its mission to challenge the CCG’s presence in the WPS. (Screengrab via Jay Tarriela @jaytaryela/X)

By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) slammed the latest dangerous maneuvers of a China Coast Guard (CCG) ship after it made multiple attempts to ram the BRP Cabra on Monday.

In a statement on Tuesday, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Commodore Jay Tarriela said CCG-3302 “made multiple attempts to ram the aft of the BRP Cabra” throughout Monday afternoon.

“Due to the PCG vessel’s superior maneuverability, the CCG deployed a smaller, faster vessel, CCG-21612, to further attempt to ram the PCG vessel,” Tarriela said.

“Despite these aggressive actions, the professionalism, composure, and seamanship of the PCG sailors have successfully outmatched the reckless tactics employed by the two China Coast Guard vessels.”

He assured that the PCG will continue to adhere to PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan’s order to maintain a “high level of professionalism to prevent escalation while embodying a fearless spirit of patriotism.”

“In accordance with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos (Jr.), the PCG is committed to upholding its duties and responsibilities in safeguarding the nation’s maritime interests,” he said.

Earlier, Marcos raised concern over the CCG’s dangerous maneuvers in Panatag Shoal.

On Sunday, the PCG challenged CCG-3302 after it was detected within 83 to 85 nautical miles off Palauig, Zambales — well within the Philippines’ 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone.

To date, BRP Cabra continues to shadow and challenge CCG-3302.