THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has reported the return of China’s largest coast guard vessel, nicknamed “The Monster,” to the West Philippine Sea (WPS) over the weekend. The move is seen as part of Beijing’s efforts to “normalize” its presence in the contested waters and “alter the existing status quo,” according to PCG spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela.
The 12,000-ton China Coast Guard (CCG) 5901 vessel was redeployed after the PCG’s offshore patrol vessel, BRP Teresa Magbanua, managed to gradually push away a smaller Chinese vessel, CCG 3304, from waters near the coast of Zambales province. The Chinese ship had been maintaining Beijing’s presence in the area before being replaced by the larger CCG 5901 on Saturday afternoon, Tarriela said.
As of Sunday, the CCG 5901 was reported to be 176 kilometers (95 nautical miles) off the Zambales coastline, within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea.
Despite challenging sea conditions, including wave heights of up to five meters, the BRP Teresa Magbanua has continued its patrol operations, maintaining vigilance over the Chinese vessel’s activities and issuing radio challenges to address its presence.
Commodore Tarriela emphasized that the PCG remains committed to its mission of protecting the country’s maritime jurisdiction while avoiding actions that could escalate tensions. “The PCG will continue to fulfill its patriotic duty to guard and protect our maritime jurisdiction against actors that disregard international law,” he said.
The incident underscores ongoing tensions in the South China Sea, where overlapping territorial claims have led to repeated confrontations between the Philippines and China.