NMC slams Chinese maritime forces’ illegal activities in PH territory

CCG-5901’s five-day illegal incursion inside the Philippines’ EEZ began on Saturday when it was spotted along the coastline of Capones Island in Zambales. (File Photo: Philippine Coast Guard/Facebook)

By Priam Nepomuceno, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – The National Maritime Council (NMC) on Monday said the Philippines strongly opposes the continued illegal presence and activities of Chinese maritime and militia forces in the country’s territorial sea and exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

The NMC emphasized that illegal activities by the Chinese are clear violations of Republic Act 12064 or the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Ruling that affirmed the Philippines’ sovereign rights in its maritime zones, especially in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

“The Philippine government has been vigilant and unwavering in upholding the country’s sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction within its maritime zones,” the NMC statement read.

“The vessels and air assets of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) were immediately deployed when the illegal presence and operations of China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels, CCG 5901 and CCG 3304, were respectively detected on 5 and 10 January 2025 in and around the waters of Bajo de Masinloc and about 70-90 NMs (nautical miles) from the coastlines of the province of Zambales,” it added.

Showing the Philippines’ resolve to protect its territories, the PCG continuously conducted radio challenges against the Chinese ships and demanded that they leave the country’s territory immediately.

However, instead of complying with the PCG’s demand, the Chinese government deployed a People’s Liberation Army-Navy helicopter that hovered over the Filipino vessel.

“Likewise, the Philippines has sovereign rights and jurisdiction beyond Bajo de Masinloc’s territorial sea, over waters within the Philippines’ EEZ measured from its lawful archipelagic baselines,” it added.

The Council also said China does not have any jurisdiction or pretense to conduct maritime patrols in these waters.

“These maritime zones, as declared in the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, are in accordance with the 1982 UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral Ruling. China does not have any basis to conduct law enforcement activities or maritime patrols over these waters,” the NMC said.

The NMC urged China to observe Philippine laws and comply with its obligations under international law and direct its vessels to desist from conducting illegal actions that violate the Philippines’ sovereign rights in its EEZ.

“In view of the situation, the Philippines has filed the appropriate diplomatic protest to counter China’s recent illegal actions in the WPS,” the NMC said.