MANILA – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported on Wednesday that China’s massive ship, dubbed “The Monster,” remains anchored at Escoda (Sabina) Shoal, just over 600 yards from the Philippines’ BRP Teresa Magbanua.
PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Commodore Jay Tarriela, confirmed that the 165-meter China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel 5901 has been anchored at the unoccupied reef near Palawan Island since July 3. “As of 7:30 this morning, the latest image from our coast guard personnel aboard MRRV 9701 shows that the China Coast Guard monster ship is still at Escoda Shoal, having never departed,” Tarriela stated during a media forum in Manila.
This contradicts an earlier statement from Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, who claimed the ship had left the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. “At Escoda Shoal, it’s gone. Nothing replaced it. It’s gone,” he told reporters on Tuesday.
Former United States Air Force officer Ray Powell, director of the maritime transparency initiative SeaLight, clarified that the confusion may have arisen because the ship temporarily moved outside Escoda Shoal from July 12 to 15. “For most of that time, it stayed just to the northeast, except for a brief patrol to the south on the 15th,” Powell explained. He added that the ship likely moved due to elevated wave heights, seeking safer locations as a precaution.
Meanwhile, Commodore Tarriela reported that the PCG has deployed the 97-meter multi-role response vessel BRP Mechora Aquino to monitor the “incursive presence” of a 135-meter CCG vessel, bow number 5303, near Lubang Island in Occidental Mindoro. The vessel reportedly came within 60 nautical miles of Lubang Island. “I confirm that the China Coast Guard vessel was monitored in that area,” Tarriela said, noting that it has since moved towards El Nido, Palawan.
Despite persistent radio challenges from the Philippines, the Chinese vessel has not clarified its intentions. “The usual response—when we challenge them, they challenge our presence back,” Tarriela noted. “So far, we haven’t gotten any tangible response.”
When asked if the Philippines has ongoing activities in the waters off Lubang Island, Tarriela declined to comment.
China’s continuous maritime activities in the West Philippine Sea have heightened tensions and raised concerns over regional security. The presence of China’s Monster ship at Escoda Shoal underscores the ongoing challenges faced by the Philippines in asserting its maritime sovereignty.
