Philippines tracks Chinese ship near Scarborough Shoal amid rising tensions

The Philippines has deployed its ships and aircraft to closely monitor the Chinese coast guard ship, the world’s largest, sighted near Luzon island. Filipino authorities have expressed concern over the ship’s presence and consider it a dangerous move into Philippine waters, Radio Free Asia (RFA) reports.

The 12,000-ton China Coast Guard Ship 5901, known as “The Monster” because of its sheer size, was last seen on Saturday about 54 nautical miles off Capones Island, located in the western part of Zambales province in the South China Sea. Was seen.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is closely monitoring the Chinese ship and has issued radio messages demanding its departure from Philippine waters. National Security Council Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya described the move as an act of intimidation, coercion and aggression against the Philippines.

he/she also said the Philippines was closely monitoring the ship, adding that any provocative action would result in an appropriate response from the government, though he/she refrained from giving further details.

Tensions have risen since the ship last week approached Scarborough Shoal, a disputed area in the South China Sea within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ), according to an analyst who spoke to Radio Free Asia. Scarborough Shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc in the Philippines, has been under Chinese control since 2012, although it is also claimed by China, the Philippines and Taiwan, RFA reported.

Malaya rejected China’s claim that the ship was merely patrolling within its jurisdiction. While the Chinese Embassy in Manila has not yet responded to the inquiry, it has consistently asserted its authority over Scarborough Shoal. The shoals have traditionally been an important fishing ground for Filipino fishermen, but access to them has become increasingly limited by Chinese vessels in recent years.

Despite the Chinese ship not having engaged in aggressive action so far, Malaya reiterated that its presence in Philippine waters has no legal basis under international law. “We don’t want to cause any provocative actions, so for now, we are just observing and monitoring the ship,” Malaya said.

On Sunday, the Philippine Coast Guard announced that its ship, BRP Cabra, accompanied by an aircraft, was keeping a close watch on the Chinese ship and challenging it via radio.

As of Monday evening, the BRP Cabra continued to pursue the Chinese vessel for the third consecutive day, said Commodore J. Tarriella, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea – the name the Philippines uses for waters within its EEZ in the South China Sea. RFA reported.

Tariela said the Chinese ship’s irregular movements indicated it was conducting a “law enforcement operation” rather than simply passing through Philippine waters.