Chinese militia vessel, 22 sampans intrude into Palawan waters

The Philippine Coast Guard drives away a Chinese maritime militia vessel and 22 fishing boats from the territorial waters of Kota Island in Palawan on Oct. 9, 2026.

Jay Tarriela via Facebook / Philstar.com's screenshot

MANILA, Philippines — The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) condemned the intrusion of a Chinese maritime militia vessel and 22 sampans into Kota Island’s territorial sea in Palawan, where the vessels allegedly engaged in unauthorized fishing and dumped waste at sea.

In a statement released on Saturday, October 10, the NTF-WPS said Chinese Maritime Militia Vessel 9622 deployed the 22 sampans near the island on October 9. One of the sampans approached as close as 250 meters from the shoreline.

“When Philippine Coast Guard personnel, supported by the Philippine Marine Corps and the Philippine Navy, moved to address the intrusion, the Chinese mothership maneuvered around and encircled their boats, while its master brazenly claimed the area as Chinese territory and directed the Philippine team to leave,” the task force said.

The NTF-WPS said the Philippine personnel’s response led to the departure of all Chinese vessels from the island’s territorial sea.

Kota Island is part of the Municipality of Kalayaan in Palawan, and its territorial sea is under Philippine sovereignty, the task force said.

“The Chinese vessels’ unauthorized fishing activities violate Philippine laws, including Republic Act No. 12064 (Philippine Maritime Zones Act) and Republic Act No. 8550 (Philippine Fisheries Code), as amended by RA No. 10654,” the NTF-WPS said.

“China’s claim over the area has no basis under international law,” it added.

The task force said the incident involved the same Chinese maritime militia vessel that deployed 24 sampans near the island on September 28.

“Such repeated incursions underscore the need for sustained vigilance and a clear, consistent response to attempts to challenge Philippine sovereignty,” the NTF-WPS said.

The task force commended the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Marine Corps and Philippine Navy for their “firm, coordinated, and professional response.”

It said it would continue supporting the Coast Guard and other concerned agencies in protecting Philippine territory and maritime rights.

“Repeated intrusions, coercive maneuvers, and baseless assertions of sovereignty will not be allowed to become normalized in Philippine waters,” the NTF-WPS said.

“The Philippines will continue to respond firmly, lawfully, and resolutely to protect its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national interests in the West Philippine Sea,” it added.