Coast guard boosts presence in West Philippine Sea

ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="The Philippine Coast Guard said it deployed the largest ship in its fleet to the Kalayaan Island Group. PCG/Facebook " src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2023/tvpatrol/02/17/coast-guard.jpg"/><figcaption>The Philippine Coast Guard said it deployed the largest ship in its fleet to the Kalayaan Island Group. <em>PCG/Facebook</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA — The Philippine Coast Guard on Friday said it strengthened its presence in the West Philippine Sea to assist fishermen who are expected to flock to the waterway during the dry season. </p><p>The PCG said it deployed the largest ship in its fleet, the BRP Teresa Magbanua, to the Kalayaan Island Group on Feb. 2. It said it advised fishermen to radio the coast guard or the military&#x27;s shore units for assistance. </p><p>&quot;As the summer season draws near, the PCG expects the number of Filipino fishing vessels that sail and fish in the WPS to greatly increase,&quot; the PCG said in a statement. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/10/05/22/filipinos-fishing-on-frontline-of-chinas-battle-for-disputed-sea">Filipinos fishing on frontline of China&#x27;s battle for disputed sea</a></li></ul><p>The coast guard said it would fulfill its obligations &quot;despite the danger in patrolling our waters in the West Philippine Sea.&quot; </p><p>The PCG recently accused a Chinese vessel of using a military-grade laser light against a Philippine patrol boat in the waterway, which left the Filipino crew temporarily blinded. </p><p>The Feb. 6 incident happened nearly 20 kilometers from Ayungin Shoal in the Spratly Islands, where Philippine marines are stationed in a derelict navy ship grounded to assert Manila&#x27;s territorial claim in the waters. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/14/23/pcg-china-laser-light-use-already-second-time">PCG says China laser light use already &#x27;second time&#x27;</a></li></ul><p>It is the latest in a series of maritime incidents between the Philippines and China, which claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea and has ignored an international court ruling that its claims have no legal basis.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/16/23/beijing-denies-chinese-ship-directed-lasers-at-ph-coast-guard">Beijing claims Chinese ship &#x27;did not direct lasers&#x27; at PH Coast Guard</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/16/23/ph-coast-guard-slams-chinas-laser-use-denial-in-sea-row">Philippine Coast Guard slams China&#x27;s denial of laser use in sea row</a></li></ul><p>Days before the latest incident, the United States and the Philippines agreed to resume joint patrols in the sea, and struck a deal to give US troops access to another 4 military bases in the Southeast Asian country.</p><p>It comes as the long-time allies seek to counter China&#x27;s military activity in the region.</p><p>Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei also have overlapping claims to parts of the South China Sea. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/14/23/us-criticizes-chinas-laser-lights-use-against-philippine-coast-guard-ship ">US criticizes China&#x27;s laser lights use against Philippine Coast Guard ship</a></li></ul><div><strong>— With a report from Agence France-Presse</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=2467478" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more News on <a href="https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news" target="_blank">iWantTFC</a></div>

The Philippine Coast Guard on Friday said it strengthened its presence in the West Philippine Sea to assist fishermen. 

Coast guard boosts presence in West Philippine Sea | ABS-CBN

Entertainment

News

Metro.Style

Sports

More

News

Coast guard boosts presence in West Philippine Sea

Coast guard boosts presence in West Philippine Sea

ABS-CBN News

Published Feb 17, 2023 10:37 AM PHT

|

Updated Feb 17, 2023 12:08 PM PHT

Read More:

PCG

Philippine Coast Guard

West Philippine Sea

South China Sea

China Philippines

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Advertise with Us

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.