PCG: China 'monster ship' inside EEZ intends to intimidate Pinoy fishermen

The Philippine Coast Guard on Sunday said the presence of the China Coast Guard’s “monster ship” inside the country's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) is a ploy to intimidate Filipino fishermen.

According to a report by Chino Gaston on 24 Oras Weekend, by using dark vessel detection technology from Canada, the Philippine Coast Guard detected the so-called “monster ship” of the China Coast Guard within 54 nautical miles of the Capones Island off the Zambales coast.

In response, the PCG deployed the BRP Cabra and a Caravan reconnaissance aircraft to intercept and monitor the Chinese vessel with registration number 5901. 

The PCG was able to confirm the presence of the Chinese ship at Bajo de Masinloc at 5 p.m. on Saturday.

"China Coast Guard CG 5901, this is BRP Cabra MRRV. We are reminding you that you are ... inside in the PH EEZ, please leave this area immediately," radioed the PCG patrol ship to the Chinese vessel.

The PCG said that the “monster ship” is still inside the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

The BRP Cabra remains on station in the area.

“The CCG monster ship remains to be in the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc, but it moved further to the north,” said PCG Commodore Jay Tarriela, the Coast Guard’s spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea in an interview over Super Radyo dzBB.

According to the PCG, the Chinese ship’s intrusion is intended to intimidate Filipino fishermen.

“They want to legitimize their presence sa vicinity ng Bajo de Masinloc. I think this also threatens ang ating mangingisdang Pilipino para hindi sila mapakapangisda sa area ng Bajo de Masinloc,” Tarriela surmised.

The same ship was spotted last June near the BRP Sierra Madre in the Ayungin Shoal.

Compared to the 2,265-ton displacement of the BRP Teresa Magbanua and Melchora Aquino, the largest ships in the PCG inventory, China's “monster ship” is five times larger at 12,000 tonsand is considered the largest coast guard ship in the world.

GMA Integrated News has reached out to the Chinese Embassy for comment.

Drone in Masbate

Meanwhile, the Philippine Navy is continuing to examine the underwater drone that was found in San Pascual, Masbate.

Its ownership and capabilities have yet to be determined but the PCG said the Chinese have used underwater drones inside the country’s EEZ in the past.

“This is not the first time na mayroon tayong na monitor na underwater drone ng Chinese government. This has been going on for past few years. We need a thorough evaluation ano ang mga data na nakukuha nito and obviously this violates ang ating sovereign rights,” Tarriela said.

According to military historian and defense analyst Jose Antonio Custodio, the discovery of the drone could mean China is looking possible routes to the Pacific Ocean for their naval assets or submarines.

“Kung may kaunting kokote lang, makikita lang na  (If they use their heads, we can see) the Chinese are sending probes to map the area so that their submarines can enter... You don't need to be a rocket scientist to understand that,” Custodio said.

The Philippine Navy has no response yet to Custodio’s assessment.

According to a source of GMA Integrated News, the discovery of the drone should not be a cause for alarm based on the initial findings. —RF, GMA Integrated News