China ‘monster ship’ remains near Zambales coast

China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel 5901, also known as the “monster ship,” continued its presence near the coast of Zambales on Wednesday despite the Philippines’ call to withdraw the vessel.

In a statement on Wednesday evening, the PCG said its vessel BRP Gabriela Silang has been monitoring the “illegal” deployment of the monster ship.

“Throughout the day, the movements of the CCG vessel have not been continuous or expeditious, failing to meet the necessary criteria for exercising the right of innocent passage,” PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Commodore Jay Tarriela said.

“In response, BRP Gabriela Silang has effectively maintained a protective position through skillful seamanship, successfully keeping the CCG at an average distance of 60-70 nautical miles from the Philippine coastline,” he added.

Tarriela said the CCG has issued a radio challenge against the BRP Gabriela Silang for allegedly violating the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (COLREGs).

However, Tarriela pointed out that Beijing’s allegation disregarded the “more critical issue of the China Coast Guard’s illegal presence within the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone.”

“The PCG's close maneuvering against the China Coast Guard vessel is vital to prevent it from approaching forward the Zambales coast,” Tarriela said.

The PCG first confirmed the presence of the Chinese vessel near Capones Island on January 4.

“The PCG remains committed to safeguarding the nation's maritime interests and will continue to monitor and address any threats to its maritime jurisdiction, sovereign rights, and sovereignty in the WPS,” said Tarriela.

On Tuesday, the Philippines said it has filed a diplomatic protest and called on China to withdraw its monster ship from the Philippine waters.

“The Philippine government is alarmed by the presence of the monster ship,” National Task Force - West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said.

“And we have made a clear request and demand with the Chinese government to withdraw their ship. So let’s see what their response will be. We’ll take it from there,” he added.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun on Tuesday defended their ship's intrusion inside Philippine territory.

"We have responded to similar questions multiple times. Let me reiterate that China’s sovereignty and rights and interests in the South China Sea were established in the long course of history, and are solidly grounded in history and the law and compliant with the international law and practice," the official said.

Guo maintained the CCG "conducts patrols and law enforcement activities in relevant waters in accordance with the law, which is fully justified."

"We call on the Philippines once again to immediately stop all infringement activities, provocations and false accusations, and stop all its actions that jeopardize peace and stability and complicate the situation in the South China Sea," he added.

Tensions continue as 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.

--VAL, GMA Integrated News