Philippine Coast Guard Faces Off With Chinese Vessel In Luzon Waters

The Philippine Coast Guard deployed BRP MALABRIGO (MRRV-4402) starting June 20, 2026, to challenge and push away a China Coast Guard vessel operating within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) off the coast of Luzon.

As of today, BRP MALABRIGO has repeatedly issued radio challenges to the Chinese vessel, but no response has been received.

During a Maritime Domain Awareness flight this morning, a PCG Britten-Norman Islander aircraft (PCG-251) observed the vessel approximately 45.5 nautical miles west of Iba, Zambales.

The vessel has been loitering between 27.0 and 45.0 nautical miles west of Luzon since June 16, 2026. Its northernmost movement brought it to about 27.29 nautical miles off Burgos, Ilocos Sur, while its southern track reached around 30.0 nautical miles off Capones Island. By evening, it was recorded 43.0 nautical miles west of Cabangan, Zambales.

Authorities noted that the movement pattern suggests the vessel may be operating near the edges of China’s claimed maritime areas in the West Philippine Sea, linked to its nine- or ten-dash line claims, which were invalidated by the 2016 Arbitral Award.

The Philippine Coast Guard stated it will continue asserting sovereign rights within its maritime zones, maintain patrol operations, and ensure maritime security for Filipino fisherfolk. It also reaffirmed its commitment, under Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, to transparency regarding activities in the West Philippine Sea.