At least nine large vessels of the China Coast Guard (CCG), including the massive “monster ship,” are patrolling the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the West Philippine Sea, according to a maritime security expert.
Ray Powell, a former United States Air Force official and defense attaché, disclosed the presence of these vessels on X (formerly Twitter), stating they are being used to enforce Beijing’s maritime claims. Among the ships identified were CCG 5901, also known as the “monster ship,” along with eight others, including CCG 3304 and CCG 5202.
There are currently at least 9 large 🇨🇳#China Coast Guard ships patrolling the 🇵🇭#Philippines' exclusive economic zone to assert & enforce Beijing's vast maritime claims. #maritimeoccupation pic.twitter.com/W0pmHeBIF8
— Ray Powell (@GordianKnotRay) January 8, 2025
The “monster ship,” measuring 165 meters and reportedly the largest coast guard vessel in the world, was spotted 54 nautical miles from Capones Island, Zambales, on Saturday. This location is well within the Philippines’ 200-nautical-mile EEZ.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) responded by deploying the BRP Cabra, a helicopter, and a PCG Caravan aircraft to assert jurisdiction. Officials observed the ship making erratic movements, which they argued were inconsistent with innocent passage, indicating a possible law enforcement operation claiming the area as Chinese territory.
Malacañang and the Philippine Navy expressed concern over the continued presence of the Chinese vessels, reaffirming the country’s commitment to protecting its maritime rights. The PCG emphasized its ongoing monitoring efforts and vowed to safeguard the Philippines’ sovereignty.
As of now, both the Philippine Coast Guard and Navy officials have yet to issue formal statements regarding the incident.
