PCG continues to monitor China’s monster ship detected near Luzon

Photo from Philippine Coast Guard

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) continues to monitor the movement of China’s “monster ship,” which was spotted “further east from Scarborough Shoal” on Saturday, according to the agency’s spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela.

Tarriela said that the PCG likewise conducted a radio challenge in response to the Chinese Coast Guard vessel 5901’s claims that it conducted lawful enforcement of duties within what it claimed as “the jurisdictional waters of the People’s Republic of China.”

“On its second day of patrol, the Philippine Coast Guard vessel BRP Cabra continues to actively monitor the movements of Chinese Coast Guard vessel 5901. The CCG vessel has been challenged regarding its illegal presence, emphasizing that it lacks the legal authority to operate within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone,” the official said in a statement on Sunday.

Photo from the Philippine Coast Guard

In support of the agency’s maritime patrols, Tarriela said that Commandant Admiral Ronniel Gil Gavan has deployed the PCG Islander, an aircraft that “will document any potential incidents, including intentional ramming by the CCG vessel, and ensure that immediate rescue operations can be initiated if needed.”

“The PCG will continue to take deliberate and appropriately measured actions to challenge the illegal presence of the Chinese Coast Guard until it ceases its violations of the Philippines’ sovereign rights in these waters.” the PCG official said.

“Throughout these monitoring efforts, the safety and security of Filipino fishermen remain the PCG’s highest priority,” he added.

READ: China Coast Guard ‘Monster’ back at Panatag

West Philippine Sea monitor Ray Powell was the first to report about the so-called monster ship’s presence 50 nautical miles from the country’s main island of Luzon.

Tarriela likewise confirmed its presence, saying that it was spotted 54 nautical miles off the coast of Capones Island, Zambales on Saturday afternoon.

Following this development, the PCG deployed its BRP Cabra (MRRV-4409), along with a helicopter and PCG Caravan, “to verify the incursion and assert their presence.”

Beijing’s continued aggression was based on its assertion of sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, including most of the West Philippine Sea, as it continues to reject a July 2016 Arbitral Award that effectively dismissed its claims and ruled in favor of Manila.

The landmark ruling stemmed from a case filed by Manila in 2013, a year after its tense standoff with Beijing over Panatag Shoal, whose lagoon the latter now effectively controls.