Latest news with #PhilippineCoastGuard
GMA Network
16 hours ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
PCG deploys another vessel to monitor China Coast Guard in Zambales
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has deployed another vessel to monitor the presence of China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels off the coast of Zambales, its spokesperson said Monday. 'Right now, BRP Bagacay is patrolling the waters within the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc and to monitor whether there will be another CCG vessel that will attempt to go near the coastline of Zambales this afternoon,' PCG spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela said in a Zoom briefing. Over the weekend, Tarriela said a CCG vessel was located five to 18 nautical miles from Palauig Point off the coast of Zambales, which is within the country's exclusive economic zone (EEZ). He said the vessel has gone further away from Zambales. 'I would like to believe na ito ngayon ay bumalik na sa vicinity ng Bajo de Masinloc. I would say it has the distance of somewhere between 115 to 120 nautical miles off the coast of Zambales,' Tarriela said. (I would like to believe that it has now returned to the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc. I would say it is at a distance of somewhere between 115 to 120 nautical miles off the coast of Zambales.) The PCG previously directed the Multi Role Response Vessel (MRRV-4409) BRP Cabra to challenge the presence of the CCG vessel. However, the BRP Cabra left after receiving a distress call from a Filipino fishing boat. Tarriela said that the CCG never responded to the BRP Cabra's challenge. He said that the CCG would often excuse its actions as the conduct of a legitimate maritime law enforcement. 'Kaya we are challenging them. We are reminding them that they are inside our own EEZ and that they do not have legitimate authority to conduct such illegal patrol,' Tarriela said. 'Kung hindi sila sumagot, I don't think we can hold them accountable for not responding. But definitely, we are challenging their illegal presence dito sa ating EEZ and that they never informed us of their intention why they are there and what is the purpose of their presence,' he added. In 2013, the Philippines challenged China over its claims on the West Philippine Sea, and in 2016 Manila scored a victory in a landmark ruling by an international tribunal that invalidated Beijing's claims. China has refused to acknowledge the Permanent Court of Arbitration's 2016 ruling that invalidated its nine-dash line. The Philippines has already filed over 150 diplomatic protests against China regarding the territorial dispute under the administration of President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. —LDF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
a day ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
PCG challenges China Coast Guard vessel off Zambales
The Philippine Coast Guard over the weekend challenged a China Coast Guard vessel located nearly 76 nautical miles from Palauig Point off the coast of Zambales, which is within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). In a post on his X account on Sunday evening, PCG spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela said the agency directed the Multi Role Response Vessel (MRRV-4409) BRP Cabra on Saturday evening to challenge the presence of the CCG vessel, in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). 'Despite facing challenging sea conditions with wave heights ranging from 8 to 10 feet, the 44-meter vessel continuously engaged the China Coast Guard 3105, emphasizing its lack of legal authority to patrol within Philippine waters but did not receive any response,' the post read. To recall, the Philippines in 2013 challenged China over its claims on the West Philippine Sea, and in 2016 Manila scored a victory in a landmark ruling by an international tribunal that invalidated Beijing's claims. China has refused to acknowledge the Permanent Court of Arbitration's 2016 ruling that invalidated its nine-dash line. Its government in 2022 claimed that it will continue to adhere to what it described as a 'friendly consultation' with the Philippines after several Chinese vessels have been found 'swarming' areas in the West Philippine Sea. The Philippines has already filed over 150 diplomatic protests against China regarding the territorial dispute under the administration of President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. Fishing boat in distress Tarriela said the BRP Cabra also received a distress call from Filipino fishing boat FFB John John, which reported engine troubles about 40.35 nautical miles southeast of Bajo De Masinloc. 'Swiftly responding to the situation, the crew of BRP Cabra successfully arrived at the location of the fishing boat and is now towing it safely back to Subic Port, Zambales,' he said. 'The actions of BRP Cabra and its crew reflect the commitment of the PCG to uphold the directive of the President, reinforcing the Philippines' rights in the West Philippine Sea,' he added. — BM, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
4 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
DOTR chief: Lining up at MRT stations down to minutes from an hour
The time spent lining up in the Metro Rail Transit (MRT)-3 stations has been reduced to at least seven minutes from what used to be 30 minutes to one hour, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said Friday.. 'In North Avenue station, this is one of the most congested MRT-3 stations tuwing rush hour of 6 am to 9 am. Makikita po natin, napakalaking diperensiya 'no. Dati po, umaabot ng halos isang oras ang pila diyan, minsan lampas pa ng isang oras. Pero dahil po sa mga ginawa natin base sa direktiba ng ating Pangulo, ngayon po ay minuto na lang po ang binibilang ng mga kababayan natin sa mga istasyon sa MRT,' Dizon said during a Palace press briefing.. (There has been a huge difference. People used to line up as long as an hour there, even longer than that. But because of the changes we made, people are now only counting minutes when lining up.) Dizon said the deployment of additional MRT-3 trains and removal of x-ray machines while maintaining security with deployment of K9 dogs as well as personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard have made a difference. 'Can you imagine, the commuters are already able to save two hours of commuting time. That is a huge lift for our commuters and their families, and this makes them more productive at work,' he said. Dizon said when he went to MRT-3 Taft Station three months ago, it took him 30 minutes to finally ride a train. 'Because of the interventions that have been done, I was only in line for five to seven minutes. Nagulat talaga ako eh (I was really surprised). So that really is the change we want for our people on a daily basis,' he said. Dizon, however, clarified that the reduced queuing time in train stations is not enough. 'Tuloy-tuloy tayo dito, hindi tayo titigil, hindi tayo makukuntento dito sa nakikita ninyo ngayon. Kung puwede pa nating pabilisin iyan, kung puwede pa nating mawala na totally ang pilang iyan, iyon po ang gagawin natin,' Dizon added. (We'll keep at this. We won't be content with what we have right now. If we can even make it better and remove the time spent for queuing, then that is what we are going to do.) —AOL, GMA Integrated News
SBS Australia
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- SBS Australia
Artists from South Korea, Indonesia, and Malaysia join the 'Concert at Sea for Peace' in Pag-asa Island
'Atin Ito Coalition' says the concert for peace and solidarity was very successful. Artists from Indonesia, Malaysia and South Korea joined Filikpino artists in Pag-asa Island. The Philippine Coast Guard closely travelled MV Kapitan Felix Oca as the 'Atin Ito Coalition' to ensure the safety of those on board. SBS Filipino 30/05/2025 11:39 📢 Where to Catch SBS Filipino 📲 Catch up episodes and stories – Visit or stream on Spotify , Apple Podcasts , Youtube Podcasts , and SBS Audio app.
Straits Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
China urges Philippines to stop provocation in South China Sea
A Philippine Coast Guard ship surrounded by Chinese maritime militia vessels and a Chinese Coast Guard ship in the South China Sea in 2023. PHOTO: REUTERS BEIJING - China's foreign ministry on May 23 urged the Philippines to immediately stop "infringement and provocation" in the South China Sea or face China's "resolute response." The remarks came a day after Beijing and Manila traded accusations following a confrontation between two of their vessels in contested waters of the South China Sea. It was legitimate for China to take necessary measures, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a daily press conference on May 23, defending the Chinese coast guard's response to the Philippine ships. The China Coast Guard on May 22 said it took "control measures" against Philippine ships and confirmed a collision occurred between the two sides' vessels. The US ambassador to Manila, MaryKay Carlson, described China's actions as aggressive and, in a post on X on May 22, said they "recklessly endangered lives and threaten regional stability." When asked about Ms Carlson's comment, Ms Mao told reporters: "We advise the US side not to use the Philippines to stir up trouble in the South China Sea, and not to undermine peace and stability in the region." Coast guard vessels from the Philippines and the US took part for the first time in joint maritime exercises with naval and air force units in the contested South China Sea earlier this week. China has accused the US of sowing discord in the region. China claims almost the entire South China Sea, despite overlapping claims by Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam. A 2016 ruling of an international arbitral tribunal said Beijing's claims, based on its historic maps, have no basis under international law, a decision China does not recognise. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
