(UPDATED)

China Coast Guard (CCG) ship with bow number "5901" finally departed the coastline of Zambales on Wednesday, Jan. 8, five days after it was detected by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), but another Chinese vessel replaced it, according to a ranking official.

CCG 5901, the largest coast guard vessel in the world and nicknamed "The Monster", was detected at approximately 90 nautical miles offshore Zambales, according to Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for West Philippine Sea (WPS). 

However, another Chinese vessel was spotted heading directly to the previous location of CCG 5901 as if to replace the latter. As of 3 p.m., CCG "3103" was detected by Canada's dark vessel detection system at a distance of 60 nautical miles from Pandaquit, Zambales.

"This indicates that CCG 3103 is likely serving as a replacement vessel for the monster ship, thereby sustaining its illegal presence within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone," Tarriela said.

The PCG deployed an Islander aircraft while BRP Cabra headed towards the location of CCG-3103 to monitor and challenge its presence.

Prior to this, Tarriela said the People's Republic of China (PRC) deployed a helicopter with tail number “47” from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA)-Navy to provoke BRP Cabra, which was observing the actions of CCG 5901, on Tuesday, Jan. 7.

“Despite the PCG's efforts to address the illegal presence of the CCG vessel through measured law enforcement operations, the People's Republic of China (PRC) has provocatively deployed a People's Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) helicopter, tail number 47, which hovered above the PCG vessel,” Tarriela said.

In response, PCG Commandant, Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan directed the PCG “to remain unthreatened and to refrain from actions that could escalate tensions.”

“As in previous encounters, the CCG-5901 was subjected to radio challenges, highlighting her unlawful operations within the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone and asserting that she lacks the legal authority to conduct law enforcement patrols in the area,” Tarriela said.

A 3:19-minute video provided by Tarriela showed a crew of BRP Cabra issuing a radio challenge to “The Monster” ship: “You do not possess any legal authority to patrol within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. You are directed to depart immediately and to notify us of your intentions.”

Malacañang earlier expressed grave concern over the presence of “The Monster” in the country’s waters.

“We view it with concern, so far we have been challenging the presence of that monster ship,” Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said.

CCG-5901 was spotted by the PCG in the coastline of Capones Island in Zambales last Jan. 4.

But according to international maritime analyst Ray Powell, CCG-5901 arrived at Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough or Panatag Shoal) inside the Philippine EEZ on Jan. 1 where at least three other CCG ships – CCG 3106, 3302 and 3305 – and seven Chinese maritime militia vessels were already positioned.