PCG KEEPS TIGHT WATCH ON CHINA’S ‘MONSTER SHIP’ IN PH WATERS

Philippine Coast Guard continues its vigilant monitoring of the China Coast Guard’s inside the country's exclusive economic zone (Photo courtesy of Philippine Coast Guard)

China’s biggest coast guard vessel maintained its “illegal presence” in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and has ignored Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG)requests to leave the area.

PCG said RP Cabra continued to shadow the movements of “The Monster,” China Coast Guard (CCG) 165 m (541 ft) long vessel 5901, with both vessels asserting each other’s territorial claims through radio challenges.

“In response, the crew of BRP Cabra has remained steadfast in challenging this assertion, diligently tailing and shadowing CCG-5901 to uphold Philippine sovereign rights,” PCG said.

“The Philippine Coast Guard reaffirms its dedication to protecting the nation's maritime interests and will continue to monitor the activities of the CCG’s illegitimate presence,” it added.

The Chinese vessel with registration number 5901 was first spotted 54 nautical miles away from Capones Island, Zambales on Saturday. As of Monday, the Chinese ship was 148 kilometers (80 nautical miles) away from Lubang Island, Occidental Mindoro.

The presence of the China Coast Guard's ''monster ship'' in the country's exclusive economic zone was viewed by Malacañang with concern, according to Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin saying it as a matter of projection.

According to the National Security Council on Monday said the presence of China’s “Monster Ship” in the country’s exclusive economic zone was part of Beijings continuing intimidation, coercion, aggression, and deception in its territorial row with Manila over the West Philippine Sea.

Jonathan Malaya, spokesperson for the National Security Council stated, “They are showing that they have this type of big ship to scare our fishermen from fishing in the WPS.”

“Now our response to this is, we will beef up the present of the BFAR (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources) and the Coast Guard to support our fishermen. We have all our assets pointed at this monster ship. The moment it carries out any provocative action, it will be met with appropriate response,” he added.

China claims most of the South China Sea as its own territory, with a massive coast guard presence in and around the EEZs of neighbors Vietnam, the Philippines and Malaysia. 

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer 

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