Two China Coast Guard vessels were spotted inside the shoal, which is about 124 nautical miles west of Zambales, the PCG said in a statement.
“Two Chinese militia vessels were also observed outside the said vicinity waters,” it added after its fly-over using its Cessna 208 Caravan.The Department of Defense and the National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea have yet to comment on the presence of Chinese vessels as of press time.The BRP Gabriela Silang and BRP Suluan were also seen near Bajo De Masinloc’s mouth to ensure the safety and security of Filipino fishermen.
The Philippine government sued China before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in 2013, and the court ruled in favor of the country in July 2016 when it junked China’s nine-dash claim over the South China Sea. In the same ruling, the PCA also ruled that the Panganiban Reef, Ayungin Shoal, and Recto Bank are within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
The court also deemed Panatag Shoal as a common fishing ground and outlawed China’s aggression toward Filipino fishermen there.