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China's 'monster ship' maintains 'illegal' presence at Escoda: PH Navy
China Coast Guard's massive ship, CCG 5901, nicknamed "The Monster," has maintained an illegal presence at Escoda Shoal since July 3, according to the Philippine Navy.
The 165-meter Chinese vessel is hundreds of meters away from the Philippine Coast Guard's BRP Teresa Magbanua, which has been monitoring activities in the area since April.
Philippine Navy spokesperson Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad stated that the Chinese ship's presence within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ) is illegal.
China claims its activities near Sabina Shoal, referred to as Xianbin Jiao by China, are legal under domestic and international law, including UNCLOS, asserting it is part of China's Nansha Qundao and not within the Philippines' EEZ.
The deployment of CCG 5901 is seen by the Philippines as an act of intimidation and a continuation of China's assertion of illegal claims over the West Philippine Sea.
The Philippines has monitored other Chinese vessels, mostly near Ayungin Shoal, Pag-asa Island, Panata Island, and Bajo de Masinloc, from July 2 to July 8.
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The world's largest coast guard vessel, CCG 5901 or 'The Monster,' was monitored in the West Philippine Sea from June 17 to 27.
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The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is investigating two Chinese-flagged vessels, Yong Fa Men and Mei Lan Hu, identified as "vessels of interest" in a collision with a Filipino fishing boat.
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The Philippines, through the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS), has refuted China's claims that the grounded BRP Sierra Madre on Ayungin Shoal is causing environmental damage.
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A China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel and Chinese maritime militia ships intercepted two Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels near Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.
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The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) expressed concern over the presence of a Chinese carrier strike group, including the Shandong aircraft carrier, a guided missile destroyer, and a frigate, operating in the Philippine Sea.
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