China Coast Guard (CCG) ship with bow number “5901”, dubbed as “The Monster” for its sheer size, has sailed closer to a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ship operating in Escoda (Sabina) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), a coast guard spokesperson revealed on Friday, July 5.
PCG spokesperson for WPS Commo. Jay Tarriela said CCG 5901 was monitored to be only 500 yards away from BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701) based on its latest monitoring.
This was closer than the 0.5 nautical miles or 1,012 yards distance that CCG 5901 maintained from BRP Teresa Magbanua when it showed up to the shoal on July 3.
“The reason why the monster ship was deployed in Escoda Shoal is to intimidate our [MMRV]-9701,” Tarriela said.
The crew of BRP Teresa Magbanua issued radio challenge against CCG 5901, according to the PCG spokesperson, to ask them why they sailed closer to them
“We were asking kung ano ang intention niya (what her intention was). It has been very clear when we challenged them through radio na ito ay parte ng exclusive economic zone ng bansa (that the area is part of our countrty’s exclusive economic zone) and our presence there is to patrol the area of Escoda Shoal,” Tarriela said.
BRP Teresa Magbanua has been stationed in Escoda Shoal, located at 75 nautical miles from the coastline of Palawan, since April 18 or more than two months now. This has been the longest deployment of a PCG vessel in the WPS, according to Tarriela.
The Japan-made multi-role response vessel was deployed after the PCG received reports that reclamation works were being carried out in Escoda Shoal following the discovery of dead and crushed corals dumped on the disputed feature.
In size comparison, Tarriela said that the 97-meter BRP Teresa Magbanua is only two-thirds of the 165-meter CCG 5901. The CCG ship is reportedly the largest coast guard ship in the world, which earned her the nickname “The Monster.”
China has been challenging the presence of BRP Teresa Magbanua in Escoda Shoal. State-owned newspaper Global Times has released a report accusing the PCG of sneaking in construction materials in Escoda Shoal.
In response, Tarriela said that china has “no right” to question the Philippines actions in Escoda Shoal as the feature is located within its EEZ.
“Regardless of whatever we bring there, food construction materials, whatsoever, they do not have any concern to comment,” the official said.
“The waters in Sabina, extended to Ayungin [Second Thomas Shoal] is part of our EEZ and we have sovereign rights over these waters. They can comment all they want, they can give their prediction of what we are doing there but it doesn’t matter bec as I’ve said, it’s our EEZ,” he added.