PCG spots ‘monster ship,’ more China vessels at Bajo de Masinloc

History trail of CCG 5901 — the so-called monster ship. (Photo from the Philippine Coast Guard)

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has spotted more Chinese vessels, including the so-called monster ship, at Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal).

There are four Chinese vessels in the area, including the monster ship — the Chinese Coast Guard vessel CCG 5901, according the report of PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela.

READ: China fisheries research ship spotted in PH archipelagic waters

“There is another interesting thing that is happening in Bajo de Macinloc. Originally, the China Coast Guard vessels we are only monitoring in Bajo de Macinloc are CCG 5901, CCG 3103, and CCG 3502,” he said in an online interview on Wednesday.

“But this time, another China Coast Guard vessel was added. It left China on February 10,” he further revealed.

The new vessel — CCG 5303 — was last spotted approximately 103 nautical miles off Palauig, Zambales, Tarriela disclosed.

“Today, we were able to monitor her presence in Bajo de Macinloc at a distance of 134 nautical miles,” he added.

Aside from these vessels, the PCG also confirmed the presence of the Lan Hai 101 — one of China’s largest fisheries research ships — within the country’s exclusive economic zone.

Tarriela said it was last spotted about 62 nautical miles from the coastline of Babuyan Island around 11 a.m. on Wednesday.

PCG has been monitoring the movements of CCG vessels unlawfully operating within the country’s exclusive economic zone and near Zambales since January.

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 the 2016 arbitral ruling that effectively dismissed its claims and ruled in favor of Manila.

History trail of CCG 3103. (Photo from the Philippine Coast Guard)

History trail of CCG 5303. (Photo from the Philippine Coast Guard)

History trail of CCG 5303. (Photo from the Philippine Coast Guard)

History trail of CCG 3502. (Photo from the Philippine Coast Guard)