Residents alarmed as CCG ship sails close to east Pag-Asa

Residents of Pag-Asa island were alarmed after China’s ships sailed close to the eastern shore of Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) earlier this week.

According to Chino Gaston’s Wednesday “24 Oras” report, a Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel was spotted close to the shore on Monday while a Chinese fishing militia boat was seen in the area on Tuesday. 

The move came days ahead of a trilateral meeting in Washington by the Philippines and its allies the United States, and Japan.

“Ginagawa na nilang daanan yung bandang silangan ng Pag-asa Island. Ngayon lang namin na talagang nandyan sila. Nagulat yung mga tao, naglabasan yung mga tao. Dumaan lang naman, hindi nagtagal,” said fisherman Larry Hugo.

(They were using the eastern side of Pag-asa Island as a thoroughfare. It was the first time we saw that. The residents were shocked. The ships did not stay for long and  immediately left.)

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) confirmed the Chinese ships sailed 3.2 nautical miles away from Pag-asa Island. No other details were provided. 

In a statement, China reiterated its sovereignty over the highly-contested waters. 

“Zhonghye Dao is illegally occupied by the Philippines. China has sovereignty over Nansha Qundao, Zhongsha Qundao, including Huangyan Dao, Zhongye Dao, and their adjacent waters, and has sovereign rights and jurisdiction over relevant waters,” it said. 

Meanwhile, a defense and security analyst said this might be Beijing’s response to the upcoming trilateral security meeting between the Philippines, the US, and Japan.

“There will be a declaration for joint patrols by the three members of this trilateral alliance. That would probably include patrols in terms of resupply and even as far as Pag-asa Island,” said Renato de Castro. 

“Assuming that they are willing to engage the Philippines, the US, and Japan in a game of brinkmanship,” he said. —Sundy Locus/NB, GMA Integrated News