PCG spots 4 Chinese coast guard ships, 2 militia vessels in Panatag Shoal

Chinese Coast Guard vessel spotted in Panatag Shoal. Contributed photo.

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Thursday spotted four coast guard ships and two militia vessels belonging to China at the Bajo De Masinloc (BDM), also known as Panatag Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.

PCG said this was revealed by the aerial inspection conducted by their personnel onboard a Cessna 208 Caravan.

“During the said overflight, the PCG monitored four China Coast Guard vessels — two inside and two outside the BDM,” the PCG said in a statement.

“Two Chinese militia vessels were also observed outside the said vicinity waters,” it also said.

During the airborne inspection, neither the PCG nor the Chinese coast guard challenged one another.

Meanwhile, PCG also said it monitored approximately 30 to 40 Filipino fishing boats within the Panatag Shoal.

PCG said the overflight “aimed to intensify Coast Guard presence in BDM and encourage more Filipino fishermen to conduct fishing activities in the area.”

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JPV/abc