The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) continues to shadow Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) fleet 5901, also known as ‘The Monster,’ as it lingers in the high seas within Manila’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) as of Tuesday morning.
PCG spokesman Commodore Jay Tarriela said BRP Cabra (MRRV-4409) maintained its vigilant monitoring of the foreign vessel as it entered its third consecutive day of illegal presence in Philippine waters.
“Observations reveal that the CCG vessel’s erratic movements indicate it is not engaged in innocent passage, but rather asserts that it is conducting a law enforcement operation, claiming jurisdiction over these waters as belonging to the People’s Republic of China,” Tarriela said.
In response, the crew of BRP Cabra remained steadfast in challenging this assertion, diligently tailing and shadowing CCG-5901 to uphold Philippine sovereign rights, according to the PCG official.
“This unwavering commitment reflects the guidance of Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, emphasizing the importance of persistently confronting the illegal presence of the People’s Republic of China and ensuring the safety and security of Filipino fishermen operating in the area,” he added.
