(UPDATE) CHINA on Tuesday deployed a People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA-N) helicopter to shadow a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel on a surveillance mission in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
In a report Wednesday, the PCG said the PLA-N helicopter, identified by tail number 47, hovered above the BRP Cabra that was monitoring the activities of the China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel with bow number 5901, known as “The Monster” because of its size.
The PCG had previously challenged the legality of the Chinese vessel’s operations in the area, asserting that the CCG-5901 had no authority to enforce maritime laws roughly 60 to 70 nautical miles off the coast of Zambales.
The PCG said the CCG-5901 had been operating within the Philippine EEZ for four consecutive days without permission, prompting the Philippine vessel to challenge the Chinese ship’s presence over radio. This challenge was an assertion of Philippine sovereignty over its waters.
The overflight by the PLA-N helicopter further heightened the tense atmosphere. PCG Commandant Adm. Ronnie Gil Gavan instructed his personnel to exercise restraint in light of the provocative actions by the Chinese forces. He emphasized the importance of remaining composed to avoid actions that might escalate the situation further.
In an update, the PCG reported that the CCG-5901 had departed the Zambales coastline and was now about 90 nautical miles offshore. In its place, the PCG tracked another Chinese vessel, CCG-3103, which had departed Guangdong Province the day before and was heading towards the previous location of the CCG-5901.
At 3 p.m. on Thursday, CCG-3103 was detected by Canada’s Dark Vessel Detection system about 60 nautical miles from Pandaquit in Zambales. The proximity of the vessel suggested that it was likely replacing the “monster ship” in its unlawful activities in Philippine waters, continuing the CCG’s illegal presence within the Philippine EEZ, the PCG said.
To monitor the situation closely, the PCG deployed an Islander aircraft to the area. The aircraft confirmed the presence of CCG-3103, which was operating in the waters previously occupied by the “The Monster.” Additionally, BRP Cabra was reported to be heading towards the location of CCG-3103, ready to challenge its presence in a bid to assert Philippine territorial rights.
The dispute between China and the Philippines over the South China Sea is rooted in conflicting territorial claims. The Philippines asserts its sovereignty over parts of the South China Sea, specifically its EEZ, which is home to vital maritime routes and significant natural resources.
China, on the other hand, claims almost the entire South China Sea, marked by the so-called “nine-dash line,” a claim that has been widely contested by the international community and debunked by an international arbitration court.
The presence of the China Coast Guard vessels, including the CCG-5901, has been a point of tension for years. The ship, nicknamed “The Monster” due to its size and power, has become a symbol of China’s assertiveness in the disputed waters. Its actions, including the recent unlawful presence in Philippine waters, have drawn condemnation from the Philippines, which continues to challenge China’s aggressive expansionist tactics.
The Philippine government has consistently protested the Chinese incursions, and the PCG has ramped up patrols to safeguard the country’s territorial waters.
The Philippines has also sought support from the international community, highlighting the need for a rules-based international order in the South China Sea. Despite these efforts, China has continued its aggressive posture, prompting concerns about potential flashpoints between the two countries.
Meanwhile, Zambales Rep. Jefferson Khonghun called the presence of “The Monster” off the coast of his province an “alarming display of aggression and intrusion into Philippine territory and its exclusive economic zone.”
“This is the height of aggression. China has no right to enter our territory and EEZ. These ships are symbols of bullying that we should not miss,” Khonghun said in a statement Wednesday.
Khonghun added that the presence of the massive ship is not just a violation of international law but also a direct affront to Philippine sovereignty.
“These actions are not just a threat to our territory, but to our security and livelihood of our countrymen who depend on the sea,” he added.
He said Filipinos should show the world they can fight for their rights under the Unclos (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea).
He also called on the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to increase their presence in the area while urging the Department of Foreign Affairs 56ryũto file another diplomatic protest against China.
He said that strengthening alliances, particularly with countries that uphold freedom of navigation and international law, is crucial as allowing intrusions that would go unchecked will embolden China further.
“If we do not speak out, China will continue to do this. We should not normalize these illegal intrusions into our territory and EEZ,” Khonghun said.
Also on Wednesday, the Akbayan party-list group condemned the presence of China’s largest coast guard vessel in the Philippines’ EEZ.
“We strongly condemn China’s latest incursion on our territory. Get that ‘Monster’ out of our seas. Now,” first nominee Chel Diokno said on Wednesday.
The veteran lawyer said the government should exert efforts to protect the country’s maritime rights, citing the country’s victory at the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which fortified Philippine sovereign rights over the EEZ.
“This is a clear threat to our national security, and the government must exert all efforts to safeguard our maritime rights and protect every square inch of our territory,” he said.
Diokno also called on the government to conduct an investigation after fishermen recovered a 12-foot submersible drone off the coast of Masbate, and upon investigation by the Philippine Navy, was allegedly Chinese-made.
“Relevant government agencies should conduct a thorough investigation regarding this matter. They should determine where it came from and the reason why it was found in our waters,” he said. “The submersible drone found may have been used for monitoring or reconnaissance threatening our national security.”
He also urged national agencies and local government units along coastal areas to enhance their monitoring of foreign vessels conducting unsanctioned activities on Philippine territory.
“Our government should strengthen the surveillance of our territory to prevent such incidents from happening again. It is also important to establish close coordination between the government and local authorities, as they serve as the eyes on the ground,” Diokno said.
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