The Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel 5901, widely referred to as the “monster ship,” moved away from the Zambales coast on Sunday, but another Chinese vessel, CCG-3304, approached the area, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
“At approximately 3 PM, CCG-5901 moved further away from the PCG vessel, while another vessel, CCG-3304, approached the coast of Zambales,” said PCG West Philippine Sea spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela in a statement.
As of Sunday night, CCG-5901 was monitored 95 nautical miles from Zambales, while CCG-3304 was 65 nautical miles away.
Vessel Size and Ongoing Challenges
Tarriela noted that while the “monster ship” had left, its replacement, CCG-3304, also dwarfs the largest PCG ship, the BRP Gabriela Silang.
“CCG-3304 measures 111 meters in length and 46 meters in width, larger than the 83-meter BRP Gabriela Silang,” he said.
Despite the size disparity, the BRP Gabriela Silang has been diligently issuing radio challenges to assert Philippine sovereignty. The PCG has reminded the CCG that their operations within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) violate the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award.
Diplomatic Protests and China’s Stance
The Philippines filed a diplomatic protest last week, demanding China withdraw its vessels from Philippine waters. However, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun defended their presence, stating:
“China’s sovereignty and rights and interests in the South China Sea are solidly grounded in history and the law.”
Guo accused the Philippines of provocations and called for an end to actions that jeopardize peace and stability in the region.
Background and Ongoing Tensions
The PCG first confirmed CCG-5901’s presence near Capones Island on January 4. Tensions remain high as Beijing continues to claim almost all of the South China Sea, overlapping with territories claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia.
In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines, rejecting China’s claims as having no legal basis. However, China has refused to recognize the ruling.