China’s ‘monster’ ship out, but another Chinese ship is sailing near Zambales
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Wednesday, January 8, that another China Coast Guard (CCG) was sailing close to the shore of Zambales after another vessel, the so-called “monster” ship, left the same area.
Commodore Jay Tarriela, in a statement to media, said CCG vessel 5901 left the coastline of Zambales and was last monitored some 90 nautical miles away, but still within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
“Meanwhile, the PCG has tracked CCG-3103, which left Guangdong Province yesterday and is heading directly to the previous location of the monster ship,” said Tarriela.
As of 3 pm Wednesday, January 8, the CCG vessel 3103 was seen some 60 nautical miles from Pandaquit, Zambales. “This indicates that CCG-3103 is likely serving as a replacement vessel for the monster ship, thereby sustaining its illegal presence within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone,” added Tarriela.
The day prior, the PCG’s BRP Cabra was harassed by a Chinese military helicopter as the former was monitoring the presence of CCG vessel 5901 near Zambales.
Both the Cabra and the PCG’s Islander aircraft have been tasked to monitor the presence of the new ship, as they did for CCG vessel 5901.
Tarriela said both vessel 5901 and 3103’s movement has been “erratic” — ruling out any argument of innocent passage. In previous radio challenges, the CCG aboard 5901 told the Cabra that it was “performing law enforcement duties on the jurisdictional waters of the People’s Republic of China.”
Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, including parts that are in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
Philippine-China ties have turned tense in recent years over Chinese incursions in waters where Manila ought to exercise sovereign rights. – Rappler.com