MANILA, Philippines — Akbayan Party-list on Wednesday praised the Philippine Coast Guard for driving away a Chinese maritime militia vessel and 24 smaller boats that entered waters near Kota Island in the Kalayaan Island Group earlier this week.
In a statement, the group said the incident underscores the need for a sustained Philippine presence in the West Philippine Sea as Chinese vessels continue to operate in waters claimed by the Philippines.
“We commend the PCG for making it clear that foreign vessels cannot simply enter and swarm our sovereign waters with impunity,” Akbayan President and Atin Ito Coalition co-convenor Rafaela David said.
The PCG said the Chinese maritime militia vessel CMMV 9622 deployed 24 smaller boats that spread out and circled within about 300 yards of Kota Island, the 10th largest in the Kalayaan Island Group, last Monday, September 28.
The vessels eventually withdrew after the Coast Guard deployed a rubber boat to challenge their presence.
Akbayan said the incident followed other confrontations in Philippine waters, including the September 18 ramming of the BFAR vessel BRP Datu Magat Salamat and China’s reported interference with a Philippine rotation and resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal on September 24.
The group said the incidents highlight the need to protect Filipino personnel carrying out official duties and to consistently assert Philippine rights in its maritime areas.
“The West Philippine Sea is ours, and that must be clear to the intrusive foreign powers seeking to take over our waters, David said.
“We stand with our brave Coast Guard personnel who continue to defend and exercise our rights in our own waters,” she added.
