Philippine Coast Guard Drives Off Chinese Vessel And 24 Fishing Boats Near Island

The Philippine Coast Guard drives away a Chinese maritime militia vessel and 24 small fishing boats after they were spotted operating in the territorial sea around Kota Island.

The Philippine Coast Guard said its personnel detected Chinese Maritime Militia Vessel 9622 about 1.2 nautical miles northwest of the island on September 28. The vessel had launched 24 small boats, each carrying two people, which spread out and were later seen fishing near the island.

A five-person Coast Guard team deployed in a rubber boat to challenge the vessels. The Coast Guard said the Chinese vessel ignored radio challenges, while its crew acknowledged instructions to leave through hand signals.

When the Coast Guard team arrived, the Chinese vessel and all 24 small boats immediately withdrew from the area. The Coast Guard said all of its personnel returned safely without incident.

The agency said foreign fishing vessels operating in the territorial sea of Kota Island without Philippine authorization violate Philippine sovereignty and fisheries laws.

Kota Island is part of the Municipality of Kalayaan in Palawan. The Philippine Coast Guard said it will continue maintaining a presence around the island and challenging foreign vessels it considers to be operating illegally in Philippine waters.