West Philippine Sea: China Coast Guard’s ‘monster ship’ still in Escoda – PCG

THEMONSTER Filipino coast guardsmen aboard BRP Teresa Magbanua catch a glimpse of the largest China Coast Guard ship 5901 from a porthole at Escoda (Sabina) Shoal on July 3. —PHOTO FROM PCG

MANILA, Philippines — China Coast Guard’s (CCG) “monster ship” remains within Escoda (Sabina) Shoal contrary to a previous report that it had left, Commodore Jay Tarriela, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS), said on Wednesday.

Tarriela also confirmed the presence of a 135-meter CCG ship with hull number 5303 within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The ship was spotted some 60 nautical miles west of Lubang Island on July 14, as revealed by WPS monitor Ray Powell.

“On July 17, 2024, at 7:36 a.m. this morning, the BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV 9701) remained to monitor the presence of the CCGV 5901, which was anchored near Escoda shoal. The CCGV 5901 was approximately 638 yards away from the port quarter of the MRRV 970,” Tarriela said in an interview over Kapihan sa Manila Bay.

READ: West Philippine Sea: China’s ‘monster ship’ leaves Escoda Shoal – Navy

“The second ship, 5303, came close to Lubang Island; I would like to confirm that it was also true. We also monitored that it was moving away towards Palawan and is no longer there in Lubang Island,” he added.

Earlier Wednesday, Powell revealed in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that “CCG 5303 ended [its] two days of loitering activity off of Lubang Island yesterday but is extending its intrusive patrol even closer to the Philippines’ coastline.”

“It is now moving 35 to 40 nm from northern Palawan near El Nido,” he added.

Tarriela said the PCG is now closely monitoring China’s monster ship and has already deployed BRP Melchora Aquino in response to the other ship moving toward Palawan.

On Tuesday, Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, navy spokesperson for the WPS, confirmed the monster had exited the country’s EEZ.

READ: West Philippine Sea: Chinese ship spotted patrolling near Lubang Island

“It is no longer off Escoda Shoal,” Trinidad said, adding that “no replacement” has been sent for the ship.

When asked if the “monster ship” is still in the country’s EEZ, he said: “No. We have to check its latest location.”

To explain the confusing reports from the Navy and PCG officials, Powell explained in a separate post that the monster moved outside Escoda shoal for three days from July 12 to 15.

“For most of that time, it remained just to the northeast, except for a brief patrol to the south on the 15th. The two maritime militia ships that accompanied it also went back to the shelter of Mischief Reef during this period — as did the militia ships around Second Thomas (Ayungin) Shoal,” Powell wrote.

“All are now back in place, with CCG 5901 and 2 militia ships back inside the Sabina Shoal closely watching the  Philippines Coast Guard ship BRP Teresa Magbanua, as they were previously,” he further explained.

He added: “The most likely explanation for their temporary departure would appear to be sea state. Wave heights were elevated during that period, so the ships likely moved to safer locations as a precaution.”

Based on previous reports, CCG’s gigantic patrol cutter, also the largest coast guard vessel in the world, had been deployed off Escoda Shoal on July 3.