Cheyenne Suarez

As of noon Monday, the CCG vessel was spotted 65 nautical miles southwest of Los Frailes Island in Zambales.

Article (news)

AFP says not deterred by presence of China’s monster ship in PH EEZ

Bianca Dava

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17362322501401736088821304viber_image_2025-01-05_22-03-41-809.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="China Coast Guard&#x27;s &quot;Monster Ship,&quot; January 5, 2025. Handout/Philippine Coast Guard"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">China Coast Guard&#x27;s &quot;Monster Ship,&quot; January 5, 2025. <em>Handout/Philippine Coast Guard</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) stressed Tuesday that it will not be deterred in performing its mandate of patrolling our seas and air despite the presence of China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel 5901 within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/1/5/presence-of-china-monster-ship-in-zambales-a-show-of-force-analyst-1952">Presence of China monster ship in Zambales &#x27;a show of force&#x27;: analyst</a></div><p>While Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad expressed concern over the presence of China’s monster ship—or any foreign vessel—in Philippine waters, he also affirmed the country’s commitment to intensifying its presence in the West Philippine Sea.</p><p>“Any intrusion, even only one ship, is a concern of the AFP. We coordinate with the PCG, BFAR and maritime police and other government agencies to address such,” Trinidad told reporters at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Tuesday.</p><p>“Yes, it is concerning. Not only the monster ship, but even the other intrusions on the WPS, in our EEZ—CCG, PLA Navy, maritime militia, research vessels in the eastern seaboards and northern passage. We take these seriously,” he added.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/1/5/pcg-deploys-aircraft-to-enhance-monitoring-of-chinas-monster-ship-2326">PCG deploys aircraft to enhance monitoring of China&#x27;s &#x27;monster ship&#x27;</a></div><p>Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said the BRP Cabra maintains its vigilant monitoring of the Chinese ship.</p><p>“Observations reveal that the CCG vessel’s erratic movements indicate it is not engaged in innocent passage but rather asserts that it is conducting a law enforcement operation, claiming jurisdiction over these waters as belonging to the People’s Republic of China,” Tarriela said in a statement.</p><div><strong>&#x27;VIEWING WITH CONCERN&#x27;</strong></div><p>Malacañang on Tuesday said it is viewing with concern the continued presence of China’s monster ship.</p><p>“We view with concern. So far, we have been challenging the presence of that monster ship. Our Coast Guard has always been very alert in following-up iyong presence of that monster ship, pasulput-sulpot and it is within our Exclusive Economic Zone. So, tsina-challenge iyan,” Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/video/news/10/23/23/pov-on-board-brp-cabra-the-moment-it-was-hit-by-china-vessel">POV: On board BRP Cabra, the moment it was hit by China vessel</a></div><p>While the issue has not escalated into any confrontational incidents, Bersamin noted that the situation requires continued vigilance. </p><p>Bersamin said the Philippines continues its diplomatic approach to resolve its ongoing maritime row with China, including the filing of protests and engaging with the Chinese government in high level talks.</p><p>As of noon Monday, the CCG vessel was spotted 65 nautical miles southwest of Los Frailes Island in Zambales.</p><p>The PCG continues to send radio challenges to the monster ship, stressing that it does not have legal authority to patrol Philippine waters. </p><div><strong>—With reports from Pia Gutierrez, ABS-CBN News</strong></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H3aYWI9bd3s?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>As of noon Monday, the CCG vessel was spotted 65 nautical miles southwest of Los Frailes Island in Zambales.</p>