A coast guard ship from one country, not a friendly country, moves uncomfortably close to the boundaries of another country. The coast guard of the latter country increases its presence near the ship coming uncomfortably close, causing it to move away somewhat.
Victory. The ship from the first country, part of an organization that always acts as obnoxiously as possible, often life-threateningly so, is still too close for comfort but at least is now further away than it was.
First question: What are the names of the two countries? Did you say the People’s Republic of China and the Philippines (Manila Bulletin, December 6, 2025)?
The Philippine Coast Guard disclosed Saturday, Dec. 6, that it has expanded its patrol presence off Zambales [a province northwest of Manila] with the deployment of BRP Cape San Agustin….
Commodore Jay Tarriela said the initiative ensured uninterrupted patrols as China Coast Guard ships continued to linger near Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough or Panatag Shoal).
Despite battling two- to three-meter waves, Tarriela said BRP Cape San Agustin managed to force CCG vessel with tail number “3303” to move farther seaward, now positioned about 135 nautical miles off the Zambales coastline, but still within the 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone.
Two other CCG ships, “3305” and “3502,” remained on radar as they loitered near the shoal in what the PCG described as illegal patrol activity within the country’s maritime zones….
The PCG has intensified patrol operations in Bajo de Masinloc to stop Chinese vessels from normalizing their presence in the area.
The shoal is located 124 nautical miles from the coast of Zambales, well within Manila’s EEZ.
The PRC keeps intruding as forcibly as it can without starting a war, and the Philippines, at least sometimes, reacts as forcibly as it can without starting a war. Second question: How long can this go on?
