China 'monster ship' spotted near Luzon

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Saturday evening confirmed the presence of the so-called ''monster ship'' of the China Coast Guard (CCG) near Luzon.

In a statement, the PCG said their team first spotted CCG vessel 5901 some 54 nautical miles away from Capones Island, Zambales using Canada's Dark Vessel Detection System.

It then dispatched BRP Cabra, a helicopter, and the PCG Caravan, which confirmed at 5 p.m. that the Chinese vessel was in the area.

The PCG also challenged the presence of the CCG by asserting that the vessel was inside the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

At 8 p.m., the vessel was reported to be heading west and was last seen 85 nautical miles away from Zambales.

“The PCG remains committed to closely monitoring this Chinese Coast Guard vessel to ensure that Filipino fishermen can operate safely and without harassment within our Exclusive Economic Zone,” the PCG statement read.

The presence of the Chinese vessel was first reported by security analyst Ray Powell.

"Today 'The Monster' China Coast Guard 5901 has brought its intrusive patrol even further east from Scarborough Shoal. It is now asserting #China's claim of jurisdiction just 50 nautical miles from the #Philippines' main island of Luzon," Powell said in a post on X on Saturday morning.

The ''monster ship'' weighs 12,000 tons, which is five times more than the two largest ships of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), he added.

National Security Council Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya said it is not surprising that China has a monster ship lurking in Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) because Chinese ships have been occupying the area for a long time.

He said Filipino fishermen are still able to get close to the area as the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the PCG also ensure the continuous delivery of crude oil and other supplies to fishermen to support their activities in the area.

GMA Integrated News is still trying to get the side of the Chinese Embassy.  

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. — Sherylin Untalan and Jiselle Anne Casucian/VBL, GMA Integrated News