CCG 4305 Remains Off Zambales — Day 2; PCG BRP Cape San Agustin and Aerial Assets Maintain Continuous Surveillance

China Coast Guard vessel CCG 4305 continued its unauthorized presence approximately 48 nautical miles west of Pandaquit, Zambales on May 20, 2026 — the second consecutive day of the vessel's incursion into the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone off the Luzon western coast. Philippine Coast Guard BRP Cape San Agustin, deployed by PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan on May 19, maintained close surveillance and continued issuing radio challenges demanding the CCG 4305 provide lawful justification for its presence and depart Philippine waters. PCG aerial assets conducted additional monitoring passes throughout the day. The CCG 4305 had not departed Philippine EEZ waters as of the PCG's latest monitoring reports. PCG reiterated its position that it would 'never allow the normalization of illegal patrols' in Philippine EEZ waters off Zambales — directly invoking President Marcos Jr.'s directive not to yield Philippine territorial and maritime rights. The simultaneous CCG 4305 Zambales incursion and the ongoing Xiang Yang Hong 33 standoff near Pag-asa Island (Day 14) represented the second and first fronts, respectively, of a four-front Chinese maritime pressure campaign operating concurrently in Philippine waters. The involvement of Canada's Dark Vessel Detection Program in flagging the CCG 4305's unauthorized presence on May 19 highlighted the growing multinational intelligence-sharing framework supporting Philippine maritime domain awareness. No water cannon use or kinetic engagement was reported.