MANILA – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has relieved BRP Gabriela Silang with the 44-meter multi-role and response vessel, BRP Suluan, to continue monitoring the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel 3304 illegally operating off the coast of Zambales.
PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Commodore Jay Tarriela, said the vessel was spotted at an average distance of 60 nautical miles to 70 nautical miles.
As of 9 p.m. Tuesday, the vessel, commonly referred to as the “monster ship” CCG-5901, is now 113 nautical miles away from Zambales but remains within the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) at a distance of 19 nautical miles from Bajo de Masinloc, Tarriela said.
Meanwhile, CCG-3304 is approximately 105 nautical miles from Zambales, approaching Bajo de Masinloc at a distance of 28 nautical miles.
In a post over X Tuesday evening, Tarriela said CCG-3304 was replaced by another Chinese vessel with bow number 3103.
The CCG vessel, he said, is smaller than its predecessor, measuring 77.7 meters in length and 10.4 meters in width.
“Despite challenging sea conditions with wave heights of 2-3 meters, BRP Suluan has maintained close monitoring of CCG-3103, effectively preventing the larger vessel from approaching the Zambales coastline,” Tarriela said.
In a video clip, PCG personnel were shown radio-challenging CCG-3103, asserting that its illegal presence violates the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and the 2016 Arbitral Award.
The PCG’s monitoring showed that CCG-3103 also continues its illegal patrol off the coast of Zambales, currently 76 nautical miles from Pundaquit, Zambales.
“The Philippine Coast Guard remains steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding the country’s maritime interests and upholding international law without escalating tensions,” Tarriela said. (PNA)