China called out for 'monster ship' intimidation
THE Philippines sees as an act of "intimidation, coercion, and aggression" the continued presence of the China Coast Guard's "monster ship" off the coast of Zambales, National Security Council (NSC) spokesman Jonathan Malaya said on Monday. The CCG's 5901, dubbed "The Monster," was spotted sighted 100 kilometers, or 54 nautical miles, from Capones Island through Canada's Dark Vessel Detection system. "Obviously, this is an act of intimidation, coercion, and aggression against the Philippines," Malaya said at the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon televised briefing. "They're showing off that they have this big ship, as if to intimidate our fishermen." In response, the Philippine government would ramp up its presence in its the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to ensure the safety and security of Filipino fishermen in the area, Malaya said. The sighting of the Chinese ship last Jan. 4 prompted the PCG to send its own vessel, the BRP Cabra (MRRV-4409), along with a helicopter and Caravan aircraft, to shadow it and assert the Philippines' jurisdiction in its own EEZ. "Well, the first thing we did was observe and shadow it. Second, we continue to challenge their presence. The Chinese Coast Guard said they are conducting a patrol within their area, claiming it is within their jurisdiction. No country is supporting this, it is not stated in international law. That's why our Philippine Coast Guard has been challenging them and telling them that what they are doing is illegal," Malaya said in Filipino. Despite the intimidation of the CCG, Malaya said the Philippines would not respond provocatively or violently for as long as China does not initiate any "blocking or anything (considered as) dangerous maneuvers." "Given that we don't want to be the precursor of any provocative action, as of now, what we are doing is we continue to watch and shadow them," the official said. Malaya assured Filipino fishermen in the area that they would continue to be protected by local authorities. "We are not neglecting this. We have our assets directed at this monster ship, and the moment it commits any wrongdoing — in the sense of taking any provocative action — it will be met with the appropriate response from the government," he said. "As stated by law, those are Philippine waters, our exclusive economic zone. They (Filipino fishers) can continue fishing there... Nothing has changed even if there is a ship present there," he added.
Tomas Kauer - Moderator 
THE Philippines sees as an act of "intimidation, coercion, and aggression" the continued presence of the China Coast Guard's "monster ship" off the coast of Zambales, National Security Council (NSC) spokesman Jonathan Malaya said on Monday.
The CCG's 5901, dubbed "The Monster," was spotted sighted 100 kilometers, or 54 nautical miles, from Capones Island through Canada's Dark Vessel Detection system.
"Obviously, this is an act of intimidation, coercion, and aggression against the Philippines," Malaya said at the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon televised briefing. "They're showing off that they have this big ship, as if to intimidate our fishermen."
In response, the Philippine government would ramp up its presence in its the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to ensure the safety and security of Filipino fishermen in the area, Malaya said.
The sighting of the Chinese ship last Jan. 4 prompted the PCG to send its own vessel, the BRP Cabra (MRRV-4409), along with a helicopter and Caravan aircraft, to shadow it and assert the Philippines' jurisdiction in its own EEZ.
"Well, the first thing we did was observe and shadow it. Second, we continue to challenge their presence. The Chinese Coast Guard said they are conducting a patrol within their area, claiming it is within their jurisdiction. No country is supporting this, it is not stated in international law. That's why our Philippine Coast Guard has been challenging them and telling them that what they are doing is illegal," Malaya said in Filipino.
Despite the intimidation of the CCG, Malaya said the Philippines would not respond provocatively or violently for as long as China does not initiate any "blocking or anything (considered as) dangerous maneuvers."
"Given that we don't want to be the precursor of any provocative action, as of now, what we are doing is we continue to watch and shadow them," the official said.
Malaya assured Filipino fishermen in the area that they would continue to be protected by local authorities.
"We are not neglecting this. We have our assets directed at this monster ship, and the moment it commits any wrongdoing — in the sense of taking any provocative action — it will be met with the appropriate response from the government," he said.
"As stated by law, those are Philippine waters, our exclusive economic zone. They (Filipino fishers) can continue fishing there... Nothing has changed even if there is a ship present there," he added.
