MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported that China Coast Guard (CCG) 5901, the world’s largest coast guard ship known as “The Monster,” remains anchored at Escoda Shoal as of Wednesday morning.
At a forum, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS), Commodore Jay Tarriela, said that as of 7:30 in the morning, the China-flagged vessel has remained at Escoda or Sabina Shoal since July 3.
The shoal is situated 75 nautical miles, or approximately 140 kilometers, off the coast of Palawan, and is considered to be within the country’s 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
“We have reported since last week that we monitored the presence of this CCG monster ship inside the Escoda Shoal anchored at a distance around 600 yards away from BRP Terese Magbanua,” he said in a Kapihan sa Manila Bay Forum.
He also said that another Chinese vessel also came within the EEZ and was moving away off the coast of Palawan.
“The second ship, 5303, came close to Lubang Island; I would like to confirm that it was also true. We also monitored that it was moving away towards Palawan and is no longer there in Lubang Island,” he said.
For its part, Tarriela said the PCG is now monitoring China’s monster ship and has deployed BRP Melchora Aquino in response to another ship approaching Palawan.
