New Chinese vessel spotted, replacing ‘monster ship,’ says PCG
Philippine Coast Guard Commodore Jay Tarriela, spokesperson for West Philippine Sea.
INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / RICHARD A. REYES
MANILA, Philippines — A Chinese vessel unlawfully operating in Zambales has been replaced by a “monster ship,” the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Saturday.
Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS), said that the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) 3304 that BRP Teresa Magbanua successfully pushed away from the coastline of Zambales, was then replaced by CCG-5901.
READ: PCG pushes Chinese vessel further away from Zambales
“Despite this, the PCG is effectively maintaining a distance of approximately 110-115 nautical miles from the coast of Zambales,” Tarriela said in a statement.
Tariella added that the “crew aboard BRP Teresa Magbanua demonstrated remarkable courage and resolve, remaining unfettered by the presence of the massive CCG-5901.”
Tariella on Thursday reported that CCG-5901 was spotted approximately 103.63 nautical miles away from Zambales while the presence of two other vessels was also monitored.
He said that “CCG-3502 is at around 115.22 nautical miles, and CCG-3103 is positioned approximately 134.10 nautical miles from the coast of Zambales.”
READ: West PH Sea: PCG spots 3 more Chinese ships near Bajo de Masinloc
The spokesperson likewise reiterated that the PCG continues to assert that the actions of the Chinese Coast Guard violate the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
He also said that the PCG remains committed to protecting the rights of Filipino fishermen and upholding the country’s maritime rights, and working towards the de-escalations of tension in the WPS.
The Philippines filed an arbitration case against China in 2013 following tensions at Scarborough Shoal, where Chinese vessels blocked Philippine authorities and prohibited Filipino fishermen from accessing the area.
A 2016 Arbitration ruling affirmed the Philippines’ sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea.
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