Chinese vessels have again blocked and fired water cannons at a Philippine supply ship close to a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, causing “heavy damage” to the wooden vessel and injuries to several of its crew, according to the Philippine government. In a series of social media posts on Saturday, the Armed Forces … Read more
Amid swelling seaborne trade, rising maritime crime, and intensifying territorial disputes, coast guards are increasingly central to Asian maritime security. However, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has long lagged behind its neighbors. A 2016 estimate put the PCG’s total tonnage at just 11 percent of the China Coast Guard (CCG), even though the two coast … Read more
The Philippines has again condemned China’s coastguard for its latest “provocative action” against Filipino fishermen in the South China Sea, shortly after the two nations agreed to take additional steps to manage tensions in the disputed waterway. Yesterday, Jonathan Malaya, the spokesperson of the National Security Council, referred to an incident publicized by the Philippine … Read more
In the latest sign of brewing trouble in the South China Sea, the Philippines has accused China of “swarming” a disputed reef off the coast of Palawan island. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said yesterday that one of its patrols had counted more than 135 Chinese vessels “dispersed and scattered” in the vicinity of Whitsun … Read more
Interviews | Security | Southeast Asia In this exclusive interview, Commodore Jay Tarriela, spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea at the Philippine Coast Guard, discusses the current situation near Second Thomas Shoal. Advertisement On Oct. 22, in two separate incidents Chinese vessels collided with Philippine boats near Second Thomas Shoal, where the Philippines keeps a permanent troop presence on … Read more
Advertisement A Chinese coast guard ship and a maritime militia vessel separately bumped a Philippine coast guard ship and a military-run supply boat yesterday in the vicinity of the contested Second Thomas Shoal, the latest sign of frictions in the contested South China Sea. In a statement yesterday, the National Task Force for the West … Read more
Advertisement Over the past two years, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has played a frontline role in Manila’s pursuit of maritime safety and security. From exposing China’s bad behavior at sea and enforcing the 2016 Arbitral Award to introducing administrative reforms that led to the hiring of thousands of additional personnel to guard the country’s … Read more
ASEAN Beat | Security | Southeast Asia The Philippine Coast Guard described China’s installation of the barrier at Scarborough Shoal as “a clear violation of international law.” A Philippine diver cuts a rope that the Philippine Coast Guard claims is part of the submerged barrier installed by Chinese vessels at Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. Credit: Philippine … Read more
ASEAN Beat | Security | Southeast Asia The “floating barrier” is intended to prevent Filipino fishermen from accessing Scarborough Shoal, a China-occupied feature in the South China Sea. A Filipino fishing boat close to the submerged barrier reportedly installed by China Coast Guard boats, September 22, 2023. Credit: Philippine Coast Guard Advertisement The Philippines yesterday protested China’s alleged installation … Read more
In this photo provided by the Philippine Coast Guard, a Chinese Coastguard ship, front, allegedly blocks the path of a Philippine Coast Guard ship near the Philippine-occupied Second Thomas Shoal, South China Sea during a re-supply mission on Saturday Aug. 5, 2023. Advertisement The Philippine military has accused China’s coast guard of blocking and shooting … Read more