The Philippine Coast Guard has successfully driven a large Chinese vessel further away from Zambales, according to Commodore Jay Tarriela, spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea.
The Chinese Coast Guard vessel 5901, initially spotted 54 nautical miles from the coast, was pushed back to approximately 220 kilometer (120 nautical miles), the PCG official said..
As of Sunday night, the PCG’s BRP Teresa Magbanua continues to patrol the area, challenging the presence of the 5901, which is now located about 117 nautical miles from shore, Tarriela reported.
“The China Coast Guard monster ship, initially spotted 54 nautical miles from shore, has now been pushed back to approximately 120 nautical miles, due to the vigilance and professionalism of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels,” Tarriela said.
The monster ship replaced CCG-3304, which was also pushed back by the BRP Teresa Magbanua. “The PCG is committed to preventing the normalization of the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) illegal deployment of maritime forces in the region,” Tarriela said.
Earlier, the PCG said it monitored two China Coast Guard vessels about 34 nautical miles off the coast of Pangasinan.
Philippine Navy Spokesperson for West Philippine Sea (WPS) Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad in an interview further said: “The Monster (CCG vessel 5901) could not stay in the Philippine exclusive economic zone (EEZ) forever.”
“They would have to do the normal operation for maintenance of that ship and replenishment. Each time they do that, the Coast Guard pushes the replacement ship back further. So they’re doing a good job because the Philippine Coast Guard, their presence is there to match the presence of the Chinese Coast Guard,” he added.
Trinidad also said that there are efforts to make the Philippines more alert in its efforts to patrol the WPS.
The Navy official also said that any research that will be conducted within Philippine EEZ shall be filed to Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
“The appropriate permits will have to be filed with DFA for any research to be conducted, more so if these are for economic reasons,” Trinidad said.
The recent signed Maritime Zone Act also define the entitlement of Philippines and other countries activities within Manila EEZ.
“It defines our different maritime zones and the entitlement of the country and what the other countries who are passing through our EEZ or our maritime zones should be doing,” he said.
