Manila Bulletin
New Chinese vessel relieves ‘monster’ ship but PCG ‘not backing down’
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) continues to challenge China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels operating illegally within the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) off Zambales.
The CCG's "monster ship", CCG 5901, was replaced by another vessel, CCG 3304, which came as close as 65 nautical miles to the Zambales coast.
Commodore Jay Tarriela stated that the PCG has been challenging these unlawful activities for 16 days without backing down.
The PCG has conducted hourly radio challenges to CCG 3304, reminding them that their operations violate the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award.
CCG 5901 was first detected on January 4 and moved to approximately 95 nautical miles off Zambales by January 19.
The Department of Foreign Affairs has filed a diplomatic protest, while China maintains its claims in the South China Sea are grounded in history and international law.
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The Philippines formally requested China to withdraw the China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel 5901, nicknamed the "monster ship," from Philippine waters near Zambales, citing it as a provocative act intended to intimidate Filipino fishermen and normalize China's illegal presence in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.
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The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel BRP Cabra is strategically maneuvering to deter the China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel CCG-3103 from approaching the Zambales coastline, pushing it to approximately 80-90 nautical miles offshore.
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The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) issued radio challenges against China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels near Zambales in the West Philippine Sea.
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The China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel 5901, described as Beijing's "monster ship," continues its illegal incursion into the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ) for at least two weeks.
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Filipino fishermen in Zambales are increasingly cautious due to the continued trespassing activities of the Chinese vessel CCG 5901, known as the 'monster ship,' near Bajo de Masinloc.
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