The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) has condemned illegal fishing and waste disposal activities by Chinese vessels near Kota Island, part of the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) in the West Philippine Sea. The incident reported on a Friday detailed the entry of two Chinese militia vessels accompanied by 22 smaller boats into the waters surrounding Kota Island.
Kota Island, located in the municipality of Kalayaan, Palawan, is one of nine islets claimed and inhabited by the Philippines in the disputed region of the West Philippine Sea. The NTF-WPS expressed concerns over the Chinese vessels' involvement in illegal fishing activities and the potential environmental impact caused by their waste disposal in the area. Reports indicated that one of the boats came alarmingly close, within 250 meters of the island's shoreline.
Following these activities, personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), along with the Philippine Marine Corps and Philippine Navy, were deployed to the area to warn and disperse the Chinese vessels trespassing into Philippine territory. Reports suggest that the Chinese mothership maneuvered to shield its smaller boats during the confrontation.
During this encounter, a leader of the Chinese vessels allegedly asserted that the area was their territory and demanded the Philippine team to leave. The NTF-WPS praised the prompt and professional response of the Philippine Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy in managing the situation.