WPS: Deadlines, ultimatums vs China ‘monster ship’ beyond PCG mandate – Tarriela

MONITORING The Philippine Coast Guard’s BRP Cabra continues to monitor the movements of China Coast Guard vessel 5901, also called “The Monster,” in the country’s exclusive economic zone off the coast of Zambales. —PHOTO FROMCOMMODORE JAY TARRIELA X ACCOUNT
MANILA, Philippines — Imposing a deadline or an ultimatum for China to remove its “monster ship” near the Zambales coastline is “beyond the mandate” of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said this when asked about Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel 5901’s “unlawful presence” about 60 to 70 nautical miles from the Zambales coastline.
The PCG has been monitoring its movements within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) since the agency confirmed its presence in the area last January 4.
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“In regard to the PCG’s mission, our role is to monitor and actively challenge the illegal presence of the Chinese Coast Guard for them not to normalize such unlawful patrol within our EEZ,” Tarriela told reporters in a Viber message on Sunday.
Article continues after this advertisement“It is beyond our agency’s mandate to impose deadlines or ultimatums on the coast guard of another state actor,” he added.
Article continues after this advertisementBased on PCG’s latest update, its vessel, BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301) was “actively monitoring and challenging” the presence of CCG vessel 5901.
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“During the entire maritime patrol today (January 18), the PCG crew conducted a radio challenge to firmly remind the Chinese Coast Guard vessels of their unlawful actions, particularly regarding their claims of conducting maritime patrols,” according to a statement issued Saturday night.
“It is important to note that the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) clarifies that the freedom of navigation for foreign-flagged vessels does not extend to conducting patrols within the EEZ of other states,” it added.
Last week, the National Maritime Council (NMC) asked the Chinese government to withdraw its ‘monster ship’ within the Philippine’s EEZ, according to National Task Force West Philippine Sea spokesperson Jonathan Malaya.
This call came after the NMC announced that the Philippine government filed a diplomatic protest against the continued illegal presence and operations of CCG vessels within the country’s EEZ.
Beijing’s continued aggression is 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 the 2016 arbitral ruling 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.
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