THE PHILIPPINES said on Tuesday it is viewing with concern the presence of China’s largest coast guard ship in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), vowing to continue maritime patrols.
“We are watching it with concern,” Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin told a news briefing at the presidential palace. “Until now we have disputed the presence of that monster ship.”
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Monday that the “erratic movements” of the 165-meter-long Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel 5901.calling Manila a “monster ship” within the Philippine EEZ indicates that it is not engaged in innocent passage.
“The Coast Guard, our Coast Guard, has always been very alert in monitoring the presence of that monster ship,” said Mr Bersamin, head of the National Maritime Council.
Although no confrontation has taken place, this calls for continued vigilance, he added.
The Philippines would use diplomatic means to resolve its maritime dispute with China, including filing protests and engaging in high-level talks with the Chinese government, Mr. Bersamin said.
The Philippine Coast Guard earlier said the Chinese vessel was “conducting a law enforcement operation and claiming jurisdiction over these waters as belonging to the People’s Republic of China.”
The monster ship was last seen 65 nautical miles southwest of Los Frailes Island in Zambales province in the northern Philippines.
The PCG said the 44.5 meters BRP Cabra has “remained steadfast” in challenging China’s claim, “which zealously pursues and shadows.” CCG-5901 to uphold Philippine sovereign rights.”
It said the Philippine Coast Guard ship continues to send radio challenges to the Chinese ship.
China’s largest coast guard ship was 54 nautical miles off Capones Island in Zambales, the PCG said on Sunday, citing Canada’s dark ship detection system.
After Philippine authorities discovered the ship, PCG Commander Ronnie Gil L. Gavan immediately ordered its dispatch BRP Cabra along with a PCG helicopter and PCG caravan “to verify the raid and confirm their presence.”
The PCG previously called the ship’s presence an act of Chinese “intimidation, coercion and aggression.”
“We have focused all our resources on this monster ship. The moment they (carry out) any provocative action, they will be met with appropriate responses,” Jonathan E. Malaya, spokesman for the National Security Council, told state television on Monday.
The Chinese embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Ties between China and the Philippines have deteriorated in recent years, with frequent rows as Manila under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. pushes back against what the country sees as Beijing’s aggression. China has accused the Philippines of repeatedly invading its waters.
China claims most of the South China Sea, a key channel for annual ship trade worth $3 trillion, as its own territory, with a huge coast guard presence in and around the EEZs of neighboring Vietnam, the Philippines and Malaysia.
Beijing rejects a 2016 ruling by the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration that found these sweeping maritime claims were illegal.
The PCG had ordered the Chinese ship to leave the area and warned that it has no authority to operate there, according to a video it shared. In its radioed response, the Chinese ship said it was conducting law enforcement duties within its jurisdictional waters.
“This is part of China’s intimidation, coercion, aggression and deception. They present their ship to intimidate our fishermen,” Mr. Malaya said, adding that the Philippine maritime presence would be strengthened to support fishermen. — CAT Atienza of Reuters