China’s monster ship detected near Luzon
Photo courtesy of the Philippine Coast Guard
MANILA, Philippines — China’s “monster ship” was spotted “further east from Scarborough Shoal, according to West Philippine Sea monitor Ray Powell.
Today “The Monster” China Coast Guard (CCG) 5901 has brought its intrusive patrol even further east from Scarborough Shoal. It is now asserting China’s claim of jurisdiction just 50 nautical miles from the Philippines’ main island of Luzon,” Powell said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Today 🇨🇳”The Monster” China Coast Guard 5901 has brought its intrusive patrol even further east from Scarborough Shoal. It is now asserting #China‘s claim of jurisdiction just 50 nautical miles from the 🇵🇭#Philippines‘ main island of Luzon. [🧵1/3] https://t.co/KJI48HfX0l pic.twitter.com/KGL2b5Ubna
— Ray Powell (@GordianKnotRay) January 3, 2025
Photo courtesy of the Philippine Coast Guard
Commodore Jay Tarriela, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, likewise confirmed the CCG vessel’s presence 54 nautical miles off the coast of Capones Island, Zambales on Saturday afternoon.
This prompted the agency to deploy its BRP Cabra (MRRV-4409), along with a helicopter and PCG Caravan, “to verify the incursion and assert their presence.”
“By around [5 p.m.] this afternoon, MRRV 4409 and the PCG Caravan confirmed that the Chinese vessel was indeed in the area identified by the DVD (Canada’s Dark Vessel Detection),” Tarriela said.
“The PCG vessel and aircraft continuously challenged the presence of the Chinese Coast Guard, emphasizing that it was operating within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in accordance with the Philippine Maritime Zones Law and UNCLOS,” he added.
READ: China’s ‘monster ship’ staying near PCG vessel in West Philippine Sea
As of 8 p.m., the PCG official said BRP Cabra (MRRV-4409) “continues to monitor the Chinese vessel as it heads west, now 85 nautical miles away from Zambales.”
“The PCG remains committed to closely monitoring this Chinese Coast Guard vessel to ensure that Filipino fishermen can operate safely and without harassment within our Exclusive Economic Zone,” he assured the public.
