The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is facing a new dilemma aside from the intimidating presence of China Coast Guard (CCG) ships off the coast of Zambales.
Multi-role response vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701) is braving an estimated wave height of three to five meters just to ward off China’s “monster” ship, China Coast Guard (CCG) “5901”, according to Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for West Philippine Sea (WPS).
“Despite adverse sea conditions with estimated wave heights of three to five meters, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel, BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701), continues to conduct vigilant monitoring of the illegal presence of the Chinese Coast Guard vessel 5901,” Tarriela said on Sunday night, Jan. 12.
CCG-5901 was located at 95 nautical miles off the coast of Zambales on Sunday, as Tarriela said the BRP Teresa Magbanua has been successful so far in preventing the monster ship from inching closer to Zambales.
It has been nine days since the CCG deployed its vessels to the coast of Zambales. The monster ship was first monitored on Jan. 4. Two other Chinese ships, CCG-3103 and CC-3304, were used as “replacement vessels” by China to sustain its presence near Zambales.
Tarriela said BRP Teresa Magbanua continues to challenge the presence of CCG-5901 within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) through radio communication.
“[I]t is crucial for the Philippines to persistently challenge their presence to prevent the normalization of their illegal activities, which could ultimately lead to a successful alteration of the status quo,” he said.
Tarriela noted that the PCG will not be provoked by China’s intimidation tactics in the Philippines’ own backyard while keeping the situation as peaceful as possible.
“The PCG will continue to fulfill its patriotic duty to guard and protect our maritime jurisdiction against actors that disregard international law, all while ensuring that tensions remain non-escalatory,” he said.