KOTA ISLAND, PALAWAN — The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) on Sunday, October 11, denounced the latest entry of a Chinese maritime militia vessel and 22 accompanying sampans into Philippine territorial waters near Kota Island in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
In a statement, the task force said Chinese Maritime Militia Vessel 9622 and its accompanying boats entered the 12-nautical-mile territorial sea surrounding Kota Island on Friday, October 9.
The NTF-WPS said this was the second reported incursion involving the same vessel, which was previously spotted in the area with 24 sampans on September 28.
During the latest incident, the Chinese vessel’s crew allegedly engaged in illegal fishing and dumped waste into the sea. One of the accompanying sampans reportedly approached within 250 meters of the island’s shoreline.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Philippine Navy, and Philippine Marine Corps deployed personnel to respond to the incident. However, the task force reported that the Chinese mothership maneuvered around the Philippine vessels while its captain forcefully asserted ownership of the area and ordered the Filipino personnel to leave.
Despite the confrontation, the joint Philippine operation succeeded in driving all the Chinese vessels away from Kota Island’s territorial waters.
Located in the municipality of Kalayaan, Palawan, Kota Island is among the nine features occupied by the Philippines in the Kalayaan Island Group. It hosts a small military detachment and serves as an important outpost for Philippine maritime patrols.
The NTF-WPS said the reported fishing activities violated Philippine laws, including Republic Act No. 8550, or the Philippine Fisheries Code, as amended by Republic Act No. 10654, and Republic Act No. 12064, or the Philippine Maritime Zones Act.
The task force also rejected China’s claims over the waters, citing the 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea.
“China’s claim over the area has no basis under international law,” the NTF-WPS said.
The agency praised the Philippine maritime and military personnel for their coordinated response, which led to the departure of the foreign vessels.
“We commend the Philippine Coast Guard, the Philippine Marine Corps, and the Philippine Navy for their firm, coordinated, and professional response, which resulted in the departure of all Chinese vessels from Kota Island’s territorial sea,” the task force stated.
The NTF-WPS expressed concern over the repeated presence of the Chinese maritime militia vessel, emphasizing the need for continued monitoring and a consistent response to activities that challenge Philippine sovereignty.
It added that it would continue assisting the Coast Guard and other government agencies in defending the country’s territory and maritime rights.
“The NTF-WPS will continue to support the PCG and other concerned agencies in protecting Philippine territory and maritime rights,” the task force added.
The agency further warned that it would not tolerate escalating aggression or unlawful activities within Philippine territorial waters and the country’s exclusive economic zone.
“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.”