Philippines Deploys Assets to Monitor Chinese Coast Guard Vessel

The Philippines has deployed air and sea assets from its military and coast guard to monitor a large Chinese coast guard vessel operating within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The Philippine government has condemned the presence of the vessel as an act of "intimidation, coercion, and aggression."

The Chinese vessel, identified as the 5901, is approximately 165 meters long and was spotted approximately 65 to 70 nautical miles off the coast of Zambales province on Sunday, January 5th. The Philippine Coast Guard has been closely monitoring the vessel's movements.

"We have all our assets pointed at this monster ship," said Jonathan Malaya, spokesperson for the National Security Council, in a statement on state television. "The moment it carries out any provocative action, it will be met with an appropriate response."

The Chinese embassy in Manila has not yet responded to a request for comment.

Ties between China and the Philippines, a US ally, have deteriorated in recent years due to frequent disputes over territorial claims in the South China Sea. The Philippines, under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., has pushed back against what it perceives as Chinese aggression in the region. China, on the other hand, has accused the Philippines of repeatedly encroaching on its waters.

China claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, a crucial waterway for global trade, despite a 2016 ruling by the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration that declared those claims to have no legal basis. China maintains a significant coast guard presence in the region, including within the EEZs of neighboring countries like Vietnam, the Philippines, and Malaysia.

In a video shared by the Philippine Coast Guard, the Chinese vessel was ordered to leave the area, with a warning that it had no authority to operate there. The Chinese ship responded via radio, claiming it was conducting law enforcement duties within its jurisdictional waters.

"This is part of China's intimidation, coercion, aggression, and deception," Malaya stated. "They are showcasing their ship to intimidate our fishermen." He added that the Philippine maritime presence would be strengthened to support Filipino fishermen operating in the area.