Teresa Magbanua pushes China monster ship farther away from Zambales coast —PCG

The BRP Teresa Magbanua has further pushed back the China Coast Guard (CCG) “monster ship” away from the Zambales coastline, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Sunday.

In a statement, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said CCG-5901 is now approximately 117 nautical miles away from the coastline.

“The China Coast Guard monster ship, initially spotted 54 nautical miles from shore, has now been pushed back to approximately 120 nautical miles, due to the vigilance and professionalism of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels,” Tarriela said.

The monster ship replaced CCG-3304, which was also pushed back by Teresa Magbanua.

The PCG issued radio challenges against the CCG monster ship, warning it that it was sailing within the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone.

In response, the CCG reiterated its maritime rights.

"The so-called award for the South China Sea arbitration is illegal and invalid. China neither questions nor recognizes. China firmly upholds its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea," the CCG said, according to a report by Jonathan Andal on Unang Balita on Monday.

GMA Integrated News contacted the Chinese Embassy for comment but it has yet to issue a statement.

Tensions continue as Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea.

In 2016, an international arbitration tribunal in the Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims, but it has not recognized the decision.

“The PCG is committed to preventing the normalization of the People's Republic of China's (PRC) illegal deployment of maritime forces in the region,” Tarriela said.

Earlier today, PCG monitored two China Coast Guard vessels about 34 nautical miles off the coast of Pangasinan. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/BM/KG, GMA Integrated News