Philippine authorities ramp up response to chinese ” monster ship” in west philippine sea

The 165-meter China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel, first spotted near Capones Island in Zambales on January 4, has been under surveillance by the PCG, with the use of Canada’s dark vessel detection system. Commodore Jay Tarriela, spokesperson for the PCG’s West Philippine Sea operations, confirmed the presence of the ship, which was last recorded approximately 80 nautical miles from Lubang Island, Occidental Mindoro.

Despite no reports of harassment against Filipino fishermen, the vessel’s proximity to the Philippines’ EEZ has raised concerns among authorities, especially as the presence of such a large vessel is seen as an effort to intimidate local fishermen.

Tarriela emphasized that the Philippines is reinforcing its maritime presence, deploying vessels from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the PCG to safeguard the country’s territorial rights.

The CCG vessel’s operations coincide with an increasing number of Chinese maritime activities in disputed areas of the South China Sea, particularly around Panatag Shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc. Officials have suggested that China’s deployment of large vessels may be aimed at legitimizing its claim over the contested waters and deterring Filipino fishermen from operating in the region.

Further complicating the situation, the PCG recently reported the discovery of a Chinese underwater drone off the coast of Masbate, marking a significant escalation of China’s maritime activities on the eastern seaboard.

The drone, along with the presence of the “monster ship,” points to a growing Chinese presence in areas that are crucial to the Philippines’ fishing industry and territorial sovereignty.

In a recent tense encounter, the PCG responded to the “monster ship” using various means of communication, including radio exchanges. The Chinese vessel’s crew, identified as operating under CCG patrol ship number 5901, asserted that they were conducting “law enforcement duties” within China’s “jurisdictional waters.”

This claim is in direct contrast to the Philippines’ assertion of its maritime rights, particularly following the 2016 arbitral ruling, which invalidated China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea.

A notable exchange occurred between the PCG and the CCG when a female officer aboard the PCG’s BRP Cabra, affectionately known as the “Angel of the Sea,” responded to the CCG’s radio message.

She insisted that the Chinese ship depart from Philippine waters immediately and reminded the CCG that they lacked legal authority to patrol within the Philippines’ EEZ.

The officer invoked the Maritime Zones Act and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), both of which affirm the Philippines’ rights in the area.

While the incident did not escalate into physical confrontation, the PCG continues to monitor the situation closely. The authorities have made it clear that they are prepared to challenge any actions that threaten the sovereignty of the Philippines, as evidenced by the deployment of both aerial and maritime assets to ensure the security of Filipino fishermen and to document any potential confrontations.