The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said it drove away a Chinese Maritime Militia Vessel (CMMV) and 24 fishing boats spotted in the territorial sea of Kota Island in the Kalayaan Island Group on Sept. 28.
The PCG said CMMV 9622 was spotted at about 10 a.m., 1.2 nautical miles northwest of Kota Island. It deployed 24 sampans.
The boats spread out and were later seen moving within 300 yards of the island while fishing, according to the PCG.
At 11 a.m., five personnel from Coast Guard Station Kota responded aboard a rubber boat to challenge the vessels.
The PCG said CMMV 9622 did not respond to radio challenges. However, its crew acknowledged the order to leave through hand signals.
The CMMV and all 24 sampans withdrew when the PCG team arrived, while Coast Guard personnel returned to their station.
The PCG described the deployment of boats from a militia vessel as a “force-multiplying tactic” that expands the mothership’s presence.
The agency said Kota Island is part of Kalayaan, Palawan, and that vessels fishing there without permission violate Philippine sovereignty and fisheries laws.
The PCG said it will continue monitoring Kota Island and driving away foreign vessels it considers illegally operating in Philippine waters.
