PCG drives away Vietnamese fishing vessel in Recto Bank

BRP Teresa Magbanua of the Philippine Coast Guard flags a Vietnamese fishing vessel in Recto Bank in the West Philippine Sea. Photo from the Philippine Coast Guard

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Friday said it flagged a Vietnamese vessel involved in long-line fishing operations in Recto Bank (Reed Bank) of the West Philippine Sea.

The PCG’s BRP Teresa Magbanua, through a radio challenge, flagged the foreign vessel before deploying its rigid hull inflatable boat last February 9.

Following PCG’s actions, the Vietnamese fishing vessel immediately fled the Recto Bank, according to PCG.

Recto Bank is inside the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines.

BRP Teresa Magbanua is  one of the largest maritime assets of the PCG.

The maritime encounter comes as PCG bolstered its presence in the WPS to assist Filipino vessels, saying their  presence in the area would greatly increase in the summer season.

JPV