China Coast Guard Ship Spotted Near Zambales: PCG Reports No Response

Philippine Coast Guard Spots China Coast Guard Ship Near Zambales On June 1, 2025, a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel reported sighting a China Coast Guard (CCG) ship approximately 76 nautical miles off Palauig Point in Zambales. This sighting occurred in a region of the West Philippine Sea that has been a source of ongoing tension between the Philippines and China. The PCG vessel, BRP Cabra, radioed the CCG ship, but there was no response. Video footage from the BRP Cabra, included in a News5 report, shows the CCG ship clearly. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, in an interview shown in the News5 report, stated, "It engenders a deficit of trust in China's words vis-a-vis its actions." The report also shows AFP Chief of Staff Romeo Brawner discussing the incident. The lack of response from the CCG ship raises concerns about China's intentions in the area. The incident underscores the complexities of the situation in the West Philippine Sea and the need for continued vigilance and diplomatic efforts to manage tensions.