China has escalated tensions in the South China Sea by deploying a helicopter in response to the Philippine Coast Guard's (PCG) monitoring of a Chinese Coast Guard vessel operating illegally in Philippine waters.
This photo released by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on January 7, 2025 shows a helicopter from the People’s Liberation Army-Navy of China flying over the waters of Zambales.
(Courtesy: PCG via Commodore Jay Tarriela/X)China has deployed its People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLAN) helicopter amid the Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) vigilant monitoring of China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel 5901, which has been illegally operating 60 to 70 nautical miles off the coastline of Zambales for four consecutive days. PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Commodore Jay Tarriela revealed this information in a post on X (formerly Twitter), describing the latest development as a provocation by China.“As in previous encounters, the CCG-5901 was subjected to radio challenges, highlighting her unlawful operations within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and asserting that she lacks the legal authority to conduct law enforcement patrols in the area,” Tarriela said. “Despite the PCG’s efforts to address the illegal presence of the CCG vessel through measured law enforcement operations, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has provocatively deployed a People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) helicopter, tail number 47, which hovered above the PCG vessel.” Consistent with its de-escalation policy, however, Tarriela said PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan gave instructions to BRP Cabra, which has been shadowing CCG 5901 nicknamed ‘The Monster,’ to remain calm. “The Philippine Coast Guard remains resolutely committed to safeguarding our sovereign rights and will not allow the presence of the Chinese Coast Guard vessel to infringe upon our maritime jurisdiction,” Tarriela added. He noted that the PCG’s stance aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s marching order to “not surrender a square inch of our territory to any foreign power” despite and amid increasing maritime challenges
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