Philippine Coast Guard drives away Chinese militia vessel and 24 boats near Kota Island in South China Sea

On September 28, 2026, a five-member Philippine Coast Guard team drove away a Chinese maritime militia vessel and 24 small boats near Kota Island in the West Philippine Sea. The Chinese vessel, CMMV 9622, had deployed the boats for fishing within the island's territorial waters. The PCG team boarded a rubber boat and challenged the vessels, which withdrew upon their arrival. No incident occurred. This event came days after Chinese vessels disrupted a Philippine resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal, highlighting ongoing tensions in the South China Sea.