The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) detected two China Coast Guard (CCG) ships off the coast of Pangasinan yesterday as Chinese ships appeared to expand their encroachment on the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Philippines, with the so-called "monster" ship also maintaining its presence off Zambales.
Commo. Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for West Philippine Sea (WPS), said CCG vessels with bow numbers “3301” and “3104” were monitored at approximately 34 nautical miles off the coast of Pangasinan around 9:30 a.m.
PCG commandant, Adm. Ronnie Gil Gavan ordered the deployment of PCG Islander aircraft to visually identify the vessels and initiate a radio challenge.
However, the CCG vessels did not respond to the radio challenge, Tarriela said.
“In alignment with the policy direction of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the PCG is committed to protecting the country's maritime interests in accordance with international law,” he said.
The PCG dispatched BRP Cabra (MRRV-4409) and BRP Bagacay (MRRV-4410), both 44-meter ships, to Bolinao town “to address the illegal presence of the China Coast Guard.”
The PCG ships were also directed to “reinforce the Philippine government's position against the normalization of illegal patrols by the People's Republic of China (PRC) within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).”
“In alignment with the policy direction of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the PCG is committed to protecting the country's maritime interests in accordance with international law. As it fulfills its patriotic duty, the PCG will uphold professionalism and vigilance to prevent any escalation of tensions,” Tarriela said.
On Saturday, CCG-3304 was driven away by BRP Teresa Magbanua from the coast of Zambales, only to be replaced by the “monster” ship, CCG-5901.
The CCG has maintained its presence off the coast of Zambales since Jan. 4 in what Tarriela suspects to be part of a strategy by China to “normalize” its presence in the area it claims as part of its internal waters.
BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701) successfully maneuvered CCG ship “3304” further away from the coastline of Zambales, Tarriela said.
“Currently, CCG-3304 has been replaced by the CCG-5901, commonly referred to as the "monster ship." Despite this, the PCG is effectively maintaining a distance of approximately 110-115 nautical miles from the coast of Zambales,” he added.
He said the crew of the 97-meter-long BRP Teresa Magbanua remained undeterred by the presence of the massive CCG-5901, which measures 165 meters long, almost double the PCG’s vessel.
“The PCG has consistently asserted that the actions of the China Coast Guard are illegal and in violation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), to which China is a signatory,” Tarriela said.
The PCG first monitored the presence of China’s monster ship off the coast of Zambales on Jan. 4. Maritime security analyst Ray Powell said the CCG deployed its vessels to the area since Jan. 1.
Nearly a month since, the CCG has maintained its presence off the coast of Zambales through the monster ship and other smaller vessels.
The National Security Council had earlier called on the Chinese government to withdraw its ships but these apparently fell on deaf ears as the CCG insisted they were patrolling in areas they claim as part of their internal waters.
Read: PCG drives away Chinese vessel; ‘monster’ ship returns to Zambales' coast