NTF-WPS condemns Chinese militia vessel's intrusion near Kota Island

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

In a statement, the NTF-WPS said the Chinese Maritime Militia Vessel 9622 and its 22 deployed sampans entered the island’s territorial sea on October 9.

One of the sampans reportedly came as close as 250 meters from the island’s shoreline.

The task force said Philippine Coast Guard personnel, backed by the Philippine Marine Corps and the Philippine Navy, moved to address the intrusion. However, the Chinese mothership allegedly maneuvered around and encircled the Philippine vessels.

The vessel’s master also claimed that the area was Chinese territory and directed the Philippine personnel to leave, according to the NTF-WPS.

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

It added that the Chinese vessels’ alleged unauthorized fishing activities violated Philippine laws, including Republic Act No. 12064, or the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, and Republic Act No. 8550, or the Philippine Fisheries Code, as amended by Republic Act No. 10654.

The NTF-WPS also maintained that China's claim over the area had no basis under international law.

The task force commended the Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy for their coordinated response, which it said resulted in the departure of all Chinese vessels from Kota Island’s territorial sea.

It noted that the latest 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," it said.

The task force added that it would continue supporting the Coast Guard and other government 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,” it said.

The Philippines would continue to respond firmly and lawfully to protect its sovereignty, territorial integrity and national interests in the West Philippine Sea, it added.— MCG, GMA News

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