MANILA, Philippines — Beijing’s so-called “monster” China Coast Guard 5901 vessel was still in Sabina Shoal, maritime security expert and SeaLight director Ray Powell said Tuesday.
“China’s 165m/12K-ton ‘Monster’ China Coast Guard 5901 still at Sabina Shoal in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone as of August 5,” Powell said in an X (formerly Twitter) post.
Reports show that the CCG 5901 has been near the Sabina Shoal (Escoda Shoal) since July 3.
But the CCG 5901 has been “AIS-dark” since July 31, according to Powell.
AIS is the automatic identification system that large ships must activate for safety and security.
Aside from the monster vessel’s presence, several Chinese militia vessels have been surrounding the BRP Teresa Magbanua of the Philippine Coast Guard stationed in the shoal to monitor the movement of the large Chinese ship.
“The PCG’s 97m BRP Teresa Magbanua also still on station in the center of the shoal, surrounded by the Monster, six Qiong Sansha Yu maritime militia ships, and two to 3 smaller militia rafted together,” Powell said.
Powell earlier reported that a Chinese research vessel has been “surveying” the area around Sabina Shoal near Palawan since July 25.
China has maintained a regular presence in Philippine waters, defying the 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated its extensive claims in the South China Sea. This ruling, issued by the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration, also reaffirmed the Philippines’ maritime entitlements in the disputed waters.
More than eight years after the ruling, the Philippines has yet to fully access the maritime region due to ongoing intimidation and harassment by Chinese authorities.
