The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) repelled five unauthorized foreign fishing vessels from the waters near Kota Island in Palawan on October 11.
According to the PCG shared by spokesperson to the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela, Coast Guard personnel spotted one vessel preparing to fish illegally about 200 meters from the island’s shoreline at around 2:15 p.m.
Another vessel was seen about one nautical mile west of the island. Both were within Kota Island’s 12-nautical-mile territorial sea and failed to respond to radio calls.
The PCG deployed two rubber boats carrying six personnel to approach the vessels.
As the team moved closer, the vessel near the shoreline pulled back a small boat it had deployed. Three more foreign fishing vessels were also spotted approaching the island.
All five vessels eventually withdrew and moved beyond Kota Island’s territorial waters. The operation ended at around 4 p.m. without incident.
The operation was also joined by the Philippine Navy and Philippine Marine Corps.
The PCG said this was its third operation in two weeks to drive away foreign vessels from the island.
On October 9, the Coast Guard also repelled Chinese Maritime Militia Vessel 9622 and 22 small boats, after a similar operation against the same vessel on September 28.
Kota Island is part of the Municipality of Kalayaan in Palawan.