China Coast Guard (CCG) patrol vessel 5901, dubbed as ‘The Monster,’ remains in the Luzon coast with its whereabouts last monitored near Lubang Island in Occidental Mindoro, according to the Philippine Coast Guard.
The PCG through BRP Cabra (MRRV 4409) continues to actively monitor the mammoth CCG fleet after its presence was detected and verified using Canada’s dark vessel detection (DVD) system over the weekend.
“This morning, as we speak, it is 80 nautical miles away from Lubang Island, Occidental Mindoro,” said PCG spokesperson for West Philippine Sea (WPS) Commodore Jay Tarriela in an interview.
‘The Monster’ was detected about 54 nautical miles in Capones Island, Zambales last Saturday before moving to the northern part of the province on Sunday—well within the Philippines’ 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
The PCG deployed the BRP Cabra, a helicopter, and the PCG Caravan aircraft to monitor and challenge the vessel’s presence, asserting that it was operating inside the Philippine EEZ. Tarriela noted that the vessel has not harassed Filipino fishermen so far.
“The CCG vessel has been challenged regarding its illegal presence, emphasizing that it lacks the legal authority to operate within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone,” said Tarriela in a post on X late Sunday.
