By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz
MANILA – The China Coast Guard’s (CCG) illegal incursion within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) has reached its 13th day Thursday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said.
In a post over X, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS), Commodore Jay Tarriela said BRP Gabriela Silang is monitoring CCG vessel 5901, dubbed “monster ship” and the world’s largest coast guard vessel at 165 meters in length.
He said the PCG vessel had repeatedly issued radio challenges due to the CCG vessel’s non-compliance with the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the 2016 Arbitral Award.
“The brave men and women aboard the PCG vessel have successfully ensured that the significantly larger Chinese vessel remains at least 70 nautical miles from the coast of Zambales province,” Tarriela said.
Tracking data for CCG 5901 showed that the ship’s movements are “inconsistent” with the principles of freedom of navigation under the UNCLOS.
“Freedom of navigation requires continuous and expeditious passage, and it is essential to note that this freedom does not permit illegal patrols by foreign vessels within the EEZ (exclusive economic zone) of another state,” Tarriela said.
He noted that CCG-5901 has radioed the PCG vessel of its intent to de-escalate tensions but continued its incursions within the Philippine EEZ.
“If China is genuinely committed to deescalating tensions and sincerely seeks to foster mutual trust and cooperation between our nations, as articulated by CCG-5901 over the radio, the Chinese government must respect the Philippines’ sovereign rights in our EEZ,” he said.
Tarriela said CCG’s claims on the legality of its actions have been invalidated by the 2016 Arbitral Award, “which is final and legally binding on both the People’s Republic of China and the Philippines.”
A Newsweek report on Jan. 15 said the 12,000-ton CCG-5901 is three times heavier than the United States Coast Guard’s Legend-class cutters.
Based on ship-tracking data from MarineTraffic and Global Fishing Watch, the ship departed from the port of Sanya in China’s Hainan province on Dec. 30, 2024, sailed into the Philippine EEZ, and on Jan. 1 joined several other CCG and maritime militia at Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal, known in Beijing as Huangyan Island, the Newsweek report stated. (PNA)
