China’s 'monster ship' spotted near Ayungin Shoal —AFP

China Coast Guard 5901, the world's largest coast guard ship known as "The Monster," was spotted near BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said on Tuesday.

“We have noted reports of a large China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel passing near the BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal,” the AFP said in a statement.

“The presence of this 12,000-ton CCG ship near BRP Sierra Madre is part of a broader pattern of intrusive patrols aimed at asserting unlawful claims over areas within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ),” it added.

The AFP emphasized that the presence of the CCG vessel in the area is “illegal, coercive, and contrary to the spirit of maintaining peace and stability in the region.”

It added that the Philippine military will continue to be vigilant and steadfast in enforcing international maritime laws, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). 

The AFP also called on other countries to observe international law and to refrain from actions that worsen the tensions in the WPS.

China Coast Guard 5901 also conducted a “brief intrusive patrol” near Scarborough Shoal back in May.

Movement

China's "Monster ship" was sighted approaching Pag-Asa Island on June 19, according to US Air Force official and ex-Defence Attaché Ray Powell.

He also said that on June 24, the vessel passed close to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal and was approaching Escoda Shoal where Philippine Coast Guard ship BRP Teresa Magbanua has been stationed since April.

At 0900 this morning the world's largest coast guard ship--the 12,000-ton ????????#China Coast Guard 5901 often called "The Monster"--passed close by the ????????#Philippines' outpost aboard the BRP Sierra Madre at 2nd Thomas (Ayungin) Shoal. It is now headed north. https://t.co/ymLFRz4o1z pic.twitter.com/FiTjDj4I4X

— Ray Powell (@GordianKnotRay) June 24, 2024

Meanwhile, the Philippine Navy also reported an increase in the number of Chinese vessels monitored around the West Philippines Sea.

Based on the Philippine Navy data, a total of 129 Chinese vessels, including five warships, were seen in the area from June 18 to 24. 

There were seen in the following areas:

Bajo de Masinloc - 5 CCG vessels (CCGVs), 1 People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) ship, and 15 Chinese maritime militia vessels (CMMVs)

Ayungin Shoal - 6 CCGVs, 4 PLANs, and 34 CMMVs

Pag-asa Islands - 3 CCGVs and 34 CMMVs

Lawak Island - 1 CMMV

Panata Island - 1 CMMV

Recto Bank - 25 CMMVs

Ayungin Incident

On June 17, a Philippine Navy sailor lost his thumb and several others were injured after CCG personnel repeatedly rammed Philippine Navy rubber boats to stop them from delivering food supplies, firearms, and other necessities to BRP Sierra Madre.

The CCG personnel were also seen brandishing knives, an axe, and pointed sticks.

Based on the videos and photos released by the Philippine military, the Navy boats were slashed and the navigational screen was smashed.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Monday described the incident as "an aggressive and illegal use of force by the Chinese forces."

Teodoro said the Philippine government would continue to find peaceful solutions as regards the issue.

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. had said the country will not use force or intimidation or deliberately inflict injury or harm to anyone amid tensions in the West Philippine Sea. 

Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion in annual ship commerce. Its territorial claims overlap with those of the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei.

Manila refers parts of the waters within its exclusive economic zone as the West Philippine Sea.

In 2016, an international arbitration tribunal in the Hague ruled that China's claims over the South China Sea had no legal basis, a decision Beijing does not recognize.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo told a Senate inquiry on Tuesday that the Philippines will work hard to bring China back to the table for talks amid ongoing tensions in the West Philippine Sea.

"We will pursue the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international laws, specifically the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 Arbitral Award. And we have been working hard to bring back China to the table to talk with us to resolve differences on these issues," Manalo said.

—VAL, GMA Integrated News