PCG: China’s ‘monster ship’ continues to sail near Zambales

The China Coast Guard “Monster” ship on Saturday was last spotted some 157 kilometers (85 nautical miles) from Zambales province in the West Philippine Sea, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), which took this photo before sunset from one of its vessels, the BRP Cabra. —Photo from the PCG

MANILA, Philippines — China’s “monster ship” continues to operate near Luzon for the fourth consecutive day, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported Tuesday night.

Commodore Jay Tarriela, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said the agency’s BRP Cabra continues to monitor the illegal presence of Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel 5901, operating 60 to 70 miles (96 km to 113 km) on the coastline of Zambales.

“As in previous encounters, the CCG-5901 was subjected to radio challenges, highlighting her unlawful operations within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone and asserting that she lacks the legal authority to conduct law enforcement patrols in the area,” Tarriela said in a statement.

READ: PCG sends ship, 2 aircraft to challenge ‘The Monster”

“Despite the PCG’s efforts to address the illegal presence of the CCG vessel through measured law enforcement operations, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has provocatively deployed a People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) helicopter, tail number 47, which hovered above the PCG vessel,” he added.

Despite this, PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan “issued clear guidance to remain unthreatened and to refrain from actions that could escalate tensions.”

Over the weekend, Tarriela confirmed the CCG vessel’s presence about 54 nautical miles (100 km) off the coast of Capones Island, Zambales, on January 3.

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.