PCG challenges China 'monster ship' anew near Zambales

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said it issued another radio challenge on Saturday against China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel 5901 or the “monster ship” which has been operating unlawfully off Zambales coastline.

In a statement on Saturday, the PCG said that its 83-meter French-built vessel BRP Gabriela Silang “confronted” the monster ship positioned 60 to 70 nautical miles from the Zambales coastline, which is well within the Philippines’ 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone.

“During the entire maritime patrol today, the PCG crew conducted a radio challenge to firmly remind the Chinese Coast Guard vessels of their unlawful actions, particularly regarding their claims of conducting maritime patrols,” the PCG said.

It said that the BRP Gabriela Silang is “boldly asserting its stance against any attempts to legitimize illegal activities in the West Philippine Sea.”

“By confronting the presence of Chinese Coast Guard Vessel 5901, the PCG sends a clear message: the normalization of unlawful deployments will not be accepted or tolerated,” the PCG added.

Philippine Coast Guard Continues to Challenge Illegal Presence of Chinese Coast Guard Vessel 5901

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel, BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301), is actively monitoring and challenging the unlawful presence of the Chinese Coast Guard vessel 5901, which… pic.twitter.com/RedyQjFcDi

— Jay Tarriela (@jaytaryela) January 18, 2025

The Philippines last Tuesday called on China to withdraw its monster ship from Philippine waters.

National Task Force - West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) spokesperson Jonathan Malaya also said the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has already filed a diplomatic protest against the presence of the monster ship.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun, on the other hand, defended their ship's intrusion inside Philippine territory.

Malacañang has viewed the presence of the Chinese vessel in the Philippines’ EEZ with concern. —KG, GMA Integrated News