MANILA — Philippine Coast Guard ship BRP Cabra (MRRV-4409) is shadowing a China Coast Guard vessel off the coast of Zambales despite rough seas, the PCG said Sunday morning. 

PCG said BRP Cabra is shadowing CCG-5303, which replaced CCG-3103 in an illegal patrol in the West Philippine Sea, in seas with waves up to 8 feet tall.

“They are committed in pushing the CCG-5303 further away from the Philippine coastline while meticulously documenting the People's Republic of China's illegal and escalatory actions,” the PCG said of the Cabra’s officers and crew.

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CCG-5303 has been pushed back to around 95 nautical miles away from the Zambales coast, the PCG said.

China has been deploying ships closer to the Philippine coastline this year, with a maritime law expert saying it may be an attempt to get the Philippines to recognize its de facto control over the region.

“Gusto nila siguro, parang pino-provoke tayo na ubusin din yung resources natin para sa kanila,” Jay Batongbacal, who heads the University of the Philippines’ Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Seas, also told TeleRadyo Serbisyo.

(Maybe they want to provoke us into using up all our resources to address their patrols)

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The PCG has sent out ships and aircraft to verify the presence of Chinese ships off the coasts of Zambales and of Pangasinan, with CCG vessels 3301 and 3104 just 34 nautical miles from shore.

"The Philippine Coast Guard's ongoing efforts reflect a resolute commitment to safeguarding the nation's maritime interests and upholding international law," it said Sunday.

PCG: China Coast Guard vessels’ deployment off Pangasinan closest yet to Philippine coastline

Apart from coast guard patrols, the Philippines has also been holding joint maritime activities in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone with navies of the US and of other security partners.

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