The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) BRP Cabra (MRRV-4409) dispersed Chinese Navy Warship off Marie Louise Bank in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), located 147 nautical miles from El Nido, Palawan.
Based on the report received by the PCG Command Center on July 13, 2021, BRP Cabra monitored a ‘navy warship’ with the flag of the People’s Republic of China and marked with Chinese characters.
BRP Cabra conducted a radio challenge while monitoring the ship’s movements using radar. The PCG vessel also approached to better reflect the activity carried out by the Chinese Navy Warship in the waters.
According to PCG, the ‘warship’ didn’t responded that’s why the BRP Cabra, led by Commander Erwin Tolentino, used the Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD) to deliver the verbal challenge. After that, the ship began to move out off Marie Louise Bank. BRP Cabra followed the Chinese ship to ensure that it leaves the said waters that are part of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Philippines.
PCG said that when it was felt that the BRP Cabra was only about 500 – 600 yards or 0.25 – 0.30 nautical miles away from their ship, the Chinese Navy Warship sent a radio message: “Philippine Coast Guard 4409, this is Chinese Navy Warship 189. Please keep two (2) nautical miles distance from me,”
Despite this, BRP Cabra continued to closely monitor the Chinese Navy Warship using the ‘Rules on the Use of Force (RUF)’. This was until the said foreign state vessel finally left the Marie Louise Bank which ran at a speed of 9.4 knots.
PCG added that every decision and action of BRP Cabra is based on the “PCG Manual on Rules on the Use of Force Within the Philippines’ EEZ ”. This is to ensure that a ‘Rules-Based and Peaceful Approach’ is used to promote sovereignty and protect the rights of the Philippines and Filipinos to the waters.
BRP Cabra’s patrol of Marie Louise Bank and Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) in Palawan is part of its mission under the Training Task Force.
Following this, BRP Cabra also greeted the condition of Filipino fishermen aboard the F/B XIROXIRA from San Jose, Occidental Mindoro. They were caught conducting a fishing operation at Marie Louise Bank. According to them, their fishing remains peaceful and abundant and they do not experience any abuse or harassment from other vessels.
It will be recalled that on June 30, 2021, PCG-BRP Cabra also dispatched five ‘Chinese ships’ and two (2) ‘Vietnamese vessels’ that were monitored at Marie Louise Bank.
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