QUEZON CITY - The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has confirmed its ongoing efforts to document illegal activities by China in the West Philippine Sea. National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela highlighted the PCG's readiness to provide evidence of these violations.
According to Philippines News Agency, the PCG is not the legal authority on how the evidence will be used by the Department of Justice or the Office of the Solicitor General. "We only document the actual incidents that happened and we have tremendous trust in our legal luminaries," Tarriela stated during the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City.
Tarriela expressed that the actions of the Chinese government go beyond what are typically categorized as gray zone tactics. "These are outright illegal activities," he explained, underscoring the aggressive and deceptive nature of China's strategies in the region. The PCG's documentation aims to substantiate claims against China, which has consistently denied responsibilities, including a recent refusal to compensate the Philippines for damages caused during a June 17 encounter near Ayungin Shoal.
During this incident, a Filipino soldier was severely injured, and the Chinese forces are accused of looting and damaging Philippine Navy assets. The confrontation occurred as the Philippine Navy was conducting a routine resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning reiterated Beijing's claims over the area, dismissing the Philippines' jurisdiction over its own exclusive economic zone.