The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said China deployed a People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) helicopter while Filipino forces were monitoring the Chinese “monster ship” in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
PCG vessel BRP Cabra has been monitoring the China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel 5901, also known as the so-called monster ship, which continues to operate 60 to 70 nautical miles from the coastline of Zambales for the fourth consecutive day.
**PCG’s Ongoing Vigilance Against Illegal Presence of CCG Vessel**
Today, the @coastguardph vessel, BRP Cabra, has maintained its vigilant monitoring of the illegal presence of the China Coast Guard vessel 5901, which continues to operate 60-70 nautical miles from the coastline… pic.twitter.com/H5CJxvchrP
— Jay Tarriela (@jaytaryela) January 7, 2025
“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,” PCG spokesperson for West Philippine Sea (WPS) Commodore Jay Tarriela said in a statement on Tuesday evening.
“In response, the PCG Commandant, Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan has issued clear guidance to remain unthreatened and to refrain from actions that could escalate tensions,” he added.
Tarriela said the radio challenges were issued to the monster ship, pointing out its unlawful operations and lack of legal authority to conduct law enforcement patrols within the Philippine EEZ.
“The Philippine Coast Guard remains resolutely committed to safeguarding our sovereign rights and will not allow the presence of the Chinese Coast Guard vessel to infringe upon our maritime jurisdiction,” Tarriela said.
“The PCG leadership fully supports the firm stance of [President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.] that he will not surrender a square inch of our territory to any foreign power,” he added.
As this developed, a maritime security expert said Wednesday that no less than nine large Chinese coast guard vessels, including the “monster ship,” have been patrolling Philippine waters in the WPS.
“There are currently at least 9 large China Coast Guard ships patrolling the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone to assert and enforce Beijing’s vast maritime claims,” former United States Air Force official and former defense attaché Ray Powell said on X (formerly Twitter).
GMA News Online has requested comment from Tarriela and Philippine Navy spokesperson for the WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad on the matter but they have yet to respond as of posting time.
Last Tuesday, Malacañang said it views the presence of the massive CCG vessel in the country’s EEZ “with concern.”
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin had said the presence of the “monster ship” in the region was a matter of projection. He assured that Philippine forces have continued to challenge the presence of Beijing’s ship, despite it being non-confrontational.
Tensions continue as Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual shipborne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei.
In 2016, an international arbitration tribunal in Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China’s claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had “no legal basis.”
China has not recognized the decision. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
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