China Coast Guard deployed backup vessel off Zambales coast —PCG

The Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) over the weekend deployed an additional vessel seemingly serving as “support” to another vessel that has been lurking in the waters near Zambales province, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

The PCG said Sunday that it spotted CCG-3304 “at a distance” from CCG-3103, which was positioned 90 to 100 nautical miles away from the Zambales shore.

Meanwhile, CCG-5901, otherwise known as the “monster ship,” was also monitored a few nautical miles away from CCG-3103.

PCG’s 44-meter BRP Cabra has been keeping CCG-3103 from advancing closer to the coast of Zambales.

“Despite these developments, the PCG remains committed to challenging the illegal presence of Chinese Coast Guard vessels. The PCG will not allow China to alter the status quo by encroaching closer to the coastline of Zambales,” the PCG said in a statement.

The CCG-3103 on Saturday used a long range acoustic device (LRAD) to harass the PCG for the first time. The LRAD was described by PCG crew members as a device producing high decibel levels that can be painful and damaging to hearing.

PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Commodore Jay Tarriela said Sunday that CCG 3103, detected back then at a distance of 93 nautical miles off the coast of Zambales, issued radio communications and asked the BRP Cabra to vacate the area.

He said that the CCG even threatened to “take necessary measures” with the PCG having to “bear the consequences” if they do not leave.

Tarriela said that the CCG’s warning “clearly indicate[s] China’s desire to impose a new order that undermines the rules-based international system.”

“They appear intent on reverting to a system where might dictates what is deemed right, allowing powerful countries to impose their interests at the expense of others' rights and jurisdictions,” he added.

The Chinese Embassy in Manila has yet to issue a response on the matter.—Giselle Ombay/AOL, GMA Integrated News