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9 large China vessels, including 'monster' ship, patrolling PH EEZ, expert says


No less than nine large vessels of China Coast Guard (CCG), including the so-called monster ship, have been patrolling the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), according to a maritime security expert on Wednesday.

"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).

 


The CCG vessels spotted in the Philippine EEZ, Powell said, are the following:

  • CCG 5901 or the "monster ship"
  • CCG 3304
  • CCG 3502
  • CCG 3103
  • CCG 3305
  • CCG 3302
  • CCG 3106
  • CCG 21559
  • CCG 5202


GMA News Online has requested comment from Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the WPS Commodore Jay 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.

The 165-meter "monster ship"—reputed as the largest coast guard ship in the world—was recently spotted 54 nautical miles away from Capones Island, Zambales on Saturday. This was within the 200-nautical mile EEZ of the Philippines.

In response, the PCG deployed BRP Cabra, a helicopter, and the PCG Caravan to check the Chinese ship. The PCG challenged the presence of the CCG by asserting that the vessel was inside the Philippine EEZ.

The massive CCG vessel on Monday morning moved near Lubang Island in Occidental Mindoro.

Tarriela earlier said that based on their observations, the Chinese vessel's "erratic movements" showed that it was not engaged in innocent passage.

"Observations reveal that the CCG vessel's erratic movements indicate it is not engaged in innocent passage but rather asserts that it is conducting a law enforcement operation, claiming jurisdiction over these waters as belonging to the People's Republic of China," Tarriela said.

"The Philippine Coast Guard reaffirms its dedication to protecting the nation's maritime interests and will continue to monitor the activities of the CCG's illegitimate presence," he added.

Malacañang and the Philippine Navy expressed concern Tuesday over the continued presence of the Chinese ship within the country's EEZ. — VDV, GMA Integrated News