Latest news with #PhilippineCoastGuard
GMA Network
10 hours ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
PCG: 3 Chinese coast guard vessels at Bajo de Masinloc, 3 research ships in PH EEZ
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said three China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels were seen at the Bajo de Masinloc while three Chinese research ships were inside the Philippine exclusive economic zone (EEZ) on Thursday morning. In a virtual interview, PCG spokesperson for West Philippine Sea (WPS) Commodore Jay Tarriela said the CCG vessels at Bajo de Masinloc were identified as the CCG 4203, CCG 5303 and CCG 3502. 'The PCG is monitoring the presence of the three CCG vessels na bumalik na sa vicinity ng Bajo De Masinloc. As a matter of fact, the Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan has deployed our Coast Guard vessel to once again carry out our maritime law enforcement patrol dito,' he said. Beijing recently claimed the Philippines is the source of trouble and danger in the South China Sea. 'That is the objective of the People's Republic of China, to justify their illegal presence within our own exclusive economic zone and to highlight na tayo daw mismo ang pumapasok sa kanilang illegal nine-, now 10-, dash line,' Tarriela said. (They highlight that we are the ones who are entering their illegal nine-, now 10-, dash line.) China said it carried out a law enforcement patrol around Bajo de Masinloc to protect its 'sovereignty, maritime rights, and interests.' 'I don't know how recent yung sinasabi niya (their claims are),' Tarriela said. 'Alam naman natin sa pangit ng panahon nitong nakaraang dalawang linggo and based on our monitoring, wala tayong nakita mga ganitong presensya ng CCG because of the typhoons na dumaan. But right now as we speak, the Philippine Coast Guard is once again carrying out maritime law enforcement patrol dito sa vicinity ng Zambales,' he added. (We all know we had bad weather the past two weeks… we did not see any CCG presence because of the typhoons that entered.) Aside from this development, Tarriela said three Chinese research vessels Bei Diao 996, Zhu Hai Yun, and Xiang Yang Hong 10 were also spotted within the Philippine EEZ. 'These vessels are suspected of engaging in illegal marine scientific research (MSR), prompting the PCG Commandant, Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, to issue immediate orders to intercept and challenge them,' Tarriela said. The Chinese research ship departed Guangdong Province in June. Bei Diao 996, which Tarriela said as involved in MSR activities about 40 nautical miles west of Bajo de Masinloc, was last spotted 185 nautical miles off the coast of Zambales. 'The BEI DIAO 996 is a civilian research vessel with dual-use capabilities, specializing in testing underwater acoustic sensors and sonar equipment. It is China's largest test ship for deep-sea operations and the world's largest SWATH catamaran, designed for stable performance in adverse weather,' Tarriela said. Zhu Hai Yun and Xiang Yang Hong 10, which movements indicate joint MSR operations near Balagtas Reef in Spratlys Islands, were last seen 195 nautical miles off the coast of Rizal, Palawan. 'The XIANG YANG HONG 10 is a multi-purpose research vessel capable of deep-sea surveys and supporting unmanned autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) for seafloor mapping and environmental monitoring. It features icebreaking capabilities and a dynamic positioning system for precise operations,' Tarriella said. 'The ZHUHAI YUN, the world's first intelligent unmanned drone carrier, is designed for oceanographic research but has significant military dual-use potential, including mapping submarine routes and deploying smart mine,' he added. Tensions continue as Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual shipborne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. Parts of the South China Sea that fall within Philippine territory have been renamed by the government as West Philippine Sea to reinforce the country's claim. The West Philippine Sea refers to the maritime areas on the western side of the Philippine archipelago including Luzon Sea and the waters around, within and adjacent to the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had "no legal basis." China has refused to recognize the decision. — RF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
a day ago
- Climate
- GMA Network
NDRRMC warns public of debris falling from China's Long March 8A rocket
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) warned the public of possible debris due to China's launch of its Long March 8A rocket on Wednesday. 'The People's Republic of China is scheduled to launch the Long March 8A from the Wenchang Space Launch Site sometime between 3:41 p.m. and 4:18 p.m. Philippine Standard Time on July 30, 2025,' the NDRRMC said in an advisory. Parts of the rocket may fall within the identified drop zone, which is approximately 120 nautical miles away from Puerto Princesa, Palawan, and 42 nautical miles away from Zamboanga City, Zamboanga Del Sur, the NDRRMC said. The Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Department of the Interior and Local Government, and Department of Environment and Natural Resources - National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (DENR - NAMRIA) were asked to consider temporary restrictions and to issue Notice to Mariners, Coastal Navigational Warnings or NAVAREA XI warnings, as applicable, in the identified drop zones. Further, concerned Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Councils in MIMAROPA and Region IX were required to continue monitoring and submit updates regarding the event. 'PhilSA cautions everyone against retrieving or coming in close proximity to these materials to minimize risk from remnants of toxic substances such as rocket fuel. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is recommended when contact with the debris is necessary,' the NDRRMC said. 'The public is advised to immediately inform local authorities of any suspected debris sighted at sea or [on] land,' it added. —VBL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
4 days ago
- Climate
- GMA Network
Valenzuela City declares state of calamity due to inclement weather
Philippine Coast Guard personnel conduct rescue operations in Valenzuela City on July 22, 2025 as the Philippines reels from the effects of the Southwest Monsoon. Courtesy: Philippine Coast Guard/ Facebook The local government of Valenzuela City has declared a state of calamity due to the widespread flooding and infrastructure damage caused by tropical cyclones Crising, Dante, Emong, and the enhanced southwest monsoon (habagat). The Sangguniang Panlungsod approved Resolution No. 3503 series of 2025, adopting the recommendation of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (LDRRMC) to declare a state of calamity and to release funds by way of assistance to the typhoon victims. 'Valenzuela City was severely affected by Tropical Storm Crising, Dante and Emong, which, in combination with the enhanced Southwest Monsoon (Habagat), brought prolonged and intense rainfall, causing widespread flooding, paralyzing public transportation and utility services, and resulting in the displacement of thousands of families,' the resolution reads. 'The continuous adverse weather conditions have resulted in extensive damage to public infrastructure, residential areas and agricultural lands, endangering the safety and livelihood of residents,' it said. The resolution added, 'The declaration of a state of calamity is necessary to enable the City Government of Valenzuela to access additional resources and funding for disaster response and recovery efforts.' According to the city government, over 9,000 individuals were rescued and evacuated to temporary shelters due to the inclement weather. Relief operations and health services continue in the temporary shelters, while post-flood assessments are being conducted in the city as part of their recovery and rehabilitation efforts. Meanwhile, a free ride service was also launched in Valenzuela City to help affected passengers. The Valenzuela City government also remains under heightened alert amid the continuous downpour. State weather bureau PAGASA earlier said the Habagat will continue to bring rains over parts of the country on Monday. Occasional rains may persist over Ilocos Region, Abra, Benguet, Zambales, and Bataan while cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms is forecast over Metro Manila, Cagayan Valley, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, the rest of Cordillera Administrative Region, and the rest of Central Luzon. Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rains or thunderstorms may be experienced over the rest of the country. –VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
6 days ago
- Climate
- GMA Network
PCG saves 6 during rescue ops in Occidental Mindoro
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), on Friday, reported two successful rescue operations in Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro. In a statement, PCG said they were able to rescue two fishermen stranded at the Tayamaan River in Barangay Tayamaan on Wednesday night after their boat ran aground. Despite strong currents, the PCG used an unmanned rubber boat attached to a rope to save the two victims, who still chose to jump in the water and swim ashore. The victims eventually reached the shore at Barangay 9, Mamburao around 2 a.m. and were immediately assessed and brought to the Occidental Mindoro Provincial Hospital for further checking. In a separate statement, PCG shared that they were also able to rescue four passengers from a stranded fishing banca at the Tayamaan Bridge in Tayamaan at around 7 p.m. on Thursday. The PCG stated that the victims were stranded in their boat and were unable to leave due to the rising flood and strong currents due to the heavy rains. The victims were rescued through join efforts of the PCG, Provincial and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, and the Mamburao Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP). Earlier, PAGASA reported that Emong had weakened into a tropical storm as of 2 p.m. Despite this, Signal No. 2 remains up in five areas in Luzon. — BAP, GMA Integrated News
Japan Today
7 days ago
- Climate
- Japan Today
Tropical storm adds to Philippines' weather toll with 25 dead and 278,000 evacuated this week
In this photo provided by the Philippine Coast Guard, rescuers assist a man to a rubber boat as they bring him to safer grounds following floods in Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro province, Philippines on Wednesday July 23, 2025. (Philippine Coast Guard via AP)3 By JIM GOMEZ A tropical storm was blowing across the Philippines' mountainous north Friday, worsening more than a week of bad weather that has caused at least 25 deaths and prompted evacuations in villages affected by flooding and landslides. The storm was Typhoon Co-may when it made landfall Thursday night in the town of Agno in Pangasinan province with maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers (74 miles) per hour and gusts of up to 165 kph (102 mph). It was weakening as it advanced northeastward and had sustained winds of 100 kph (62 mph) Friday morning. Co-may was intensifying seasonal monsoon rains that had swamped a large swath of the country for more than a week. Disaster-response officials have received reports of at least 25 deaths since last weekend, mostly due to flash floods, toppled trees, landslides and electrocution. Eight other people were reported missing There were no immediate reports of deaths or injuries directly caused by Co-may, locally called Emong, the fifth weather disturbance to hit the Philippines since the rainy season started in last month. More than a dozen more tropical storms were expected to batter the Southeast Asian country the rest of the year, forecasters said. The government shut down schools in metropolitan Manila for the third day Friday and suspended classes in 35 provinces in the main northern region of Luzon. At least 77 towns and cities, mostly in Luzon, have declared a state of calamity, a designation that speeds emergency funds and freezes the prices of commodities, including rice. The days of stormy weather have forced 278,000 people to leave their homes for safety in emergency shelters or relatives' homes. Nearly 3,000 houses have been damaged, the government's disaster response agency said. Travel by sea and air has been restricted in northern provinces being pounded or in the typhoon's path. Thousands of army forces, police, coast guard personnel. firefighters and civilian volunteers have been deployed to help rescue people in villages swamped in floodwaters or isolated due to roads blocked by landslides, fallen trees and boulders. After returning from his White House meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visited emergency shelters Thursday in Rizal province to help distribute food packs to displaced residents. He later convened an emergency meeting with disaster-response officials, where he underscored the need for the government and the people to adapt to and brace for climate change and the larger number of and more unpredictable natural calamities it's setting off. 'Everything has changed,' Marcos said. 'Let's not say, `The storm may come, what will happen?' because the storm will really come.' The United States, Manila's longtime treaty ally, has pledged to provide military aircraft to airlift food and other aid to remote island provinces and the countryside if the calamity worsens, the Philippines military said. The Philippines, which lies between the Pacific Ocean and the South China Seas, is battered by about 20 typhoons and storms each year. It's often hit by earthquakes and has about two dozen active volcanoes, making it one of the world's most disaster-prone countries. © Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
