A China Coast Guard vessel off the coast of Zambales on January 26, 2025. Handout/Philippine Coast Guard

MANILA -- The Philippine Coast Guard said the BRP (Barko ng Pilipinas) Cabra successfully held off a bigger Chinese ship from getting closer to the Philippine coastline in Zambales on Sunday.

"The BRP Cabra, despite its smaller size compared to the China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel 3103, has been successful in preventing the Chinese vessel from advancing closer to the coast of Zambales," said the PCG in a statement.

"The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel has maintained the China Coast Guard vessel to keep a distance of 90-100 nautical miles away from the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)."

The Philippine Coast Guard noted that BRP Cabra is only 44 meters in length.

READ: Fresh harassment from China Coast Guard in West PH Sea ‘expected’ amid presence of typhon missiles in PH – analyst

The Chinese Coast Guard, for its part, deployed CCG-3304 at a distance, appearing to serve as a "supporting vessel" for CCG-3103. Another Chinese vessel, CCG-5901, was also spotted a few nautical miles near CCG-3103.

The PCG maintained that it will continue to challenge the illegal presence of Chinese Coast Guard vessels in Philippine waters. 

"The PCG will not allow China to alter the status quo by encroaching closer to the coastline of Zambales. Our continued presence serves as a clear demonstration of our commitment to upholding our sovereign rights and a steadfast stance against any violations of international law, all while prioritizing a peaceful approach," said the PCG. 

Late Saturday, the Philippine Coast Guard reported that China had used a Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD) to harass Philippine vessels in the West Philippine Sea.

READ: China harassed PH vessel with high-decibel acoustic device -- PCG

According to Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, a China Coast Guard vessel with hull number 3103 used an LRAD to harass BRP Cabra (MRRV-4409) and to deter its approach.

PCG crew members described China's acoustic device "as producing high decibel levels that can be painful and damaging to hearing," he said.

"Despite the harassment and the intimidating presence of the Chinese monster ship, BRP Cabra remains committed to its mission," he said.

LRADs are specialized loudspeakers that can emit sound at a high enough volume to cause damage to eardrums as well as permanent hearing loss. 

China has previously used water cannons and "dangerous maneuvers" against Philippine vessels in the West Philippine Sea.