MANILA – Malacañang on Tuesday expressed concern over the presence of the China Coast Guard’s (CCG) “monster ship” in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
In a Palace press briefing, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has been closely keeping tabs on the Chinese ship, adding that its presence within Philippine waters has been continuously challenged.
“We view it with concern. So far, we’ve been challenging the presence of that monster ship. Our Coast Guard has been very alert in following up the presence of that monster ship. Pasulpot-sulpot (It comes and go) and it is within our exclusive economic zone,” Bersamin said.
“Maaring projection (of power) ang issue dito (This could be a case of power projection),” he added.
The CCG ship 5901, dubbed a “monster ship” due to its massive size of 12,000 gross register tons, was spotted in the coastline of Capones Island in Zambales on January 4.
The PCG’s BRP Cabra (MMRV-4409) and its aircraft, the Northern Luzon Command and other assets from the Area Task Force North and National Task Force West Philippine Sea are keeping a tight watch on CCG 5901.
AFP undeterred
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), meanwhile, said it will continue its maritime and air patrols in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) despite the illegal presence of foreign vessels.
“The Armed Forces is continuing its mandate of patrolling the seas and the air. We will not be deterred in spite of the presence, the illegal presence of any foreign vessel,” PN spokesperson for the WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said in a press briefing in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
“Any intrusion, even if only (one) ship, is a concern of the AFP,” he added.
He, however, deferred to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on the details of this development, noting that it is the one who does the “day-to-day tracking” of the CCG ship.
“But rest assured, your AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) will continue conducting our maritime and air patrols in the West Philippine Sea, even focusing on BDM (Bajo de Masinloc) for this particular case. And we coordinate with the Coast Guard, BFAR (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources) the Maritime Police, and other government agencies to address such,” he added.
‘Illegal’
The PCG, meanwhile, asserted that the presence of CCG 5901 is “illegal”, adding that its movement shows it is not in the area for “innocent passage.”
“Observations reveal that the CCG vessel’s erratic movements indicate it is not engaged in innocent passage but rather asserts that it is conducting a law enforcement operation, claiming jurisdiction over these waters as belonging to the People’s Republic of China,” PCG Spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Commodore Jay Tarriela said in a post on X.
He said the PCG had deployed BRP Cabra to monitor the CCG ship and challenge China’s assertion over the affected waters.
“This unwavering commitment reflects the guidance of PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, emphasizing the importance of persistently confronting the illegal presence of the People’s Republic of China and ensuring the safety and security of Filipino fishermen operating in the area,” Tarriela said. (With a report from Raymond Carl Dela Cruz/PNA)