MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said it has deployed another vessel to conduct routine patrol in the West Philippine Sea near Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal. Zambales is the closest province to the disputed Panatag Shoal, which is also called Bajo de Masinloc. PCG spokesperson Commander Armand Balilo said that aside from the 56-meter BRP Pampanga, the 35-meter BRP Nueva Vizcaya would join the patrol in the disputed waters. BRP Pampanga started its patrol in the area last month. The shoal is 124 nautical miles west of Zambales and is within the country’s 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone.

Source: Philippine Star August 05, 2016 16:12 UTC