Philippine Coast Guard ship BRP Cabra (MRRV-4409). File photo

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said BRP Cabra is following China Coast Guard (CCG) ship illegally patrol the West Philippine Sea near Zambales.

“They are committed in pushing the CCG-5303 further away from the Philippine coastline while meticulously documenting the People’s Republic of China’s illegal and escalatory actions,” the PCG said.

China has been deploying ships closer to the Philippine coastline this year, with a maritime law expert saying it may be an attempt to get the Philippines to recognize its de facto control over the region.

Jay Batongbacal, who heads the University of the Philippines’ Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Seas, earlier said China is trying to provoke the Philippines into using up all our resources to protect its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Apart from coast guard patrols, the Philippines has also been holding joint maritime activities in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone with navies of the US and of other security partners.