The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said it has replaced the BRP Cabra with its largest vessel—the BRP Teresa Magbanua–to monitor Chinese vessels including the so-called “monster ship” in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
In a statement, PCG spokesperson for the WPS, Commodore Jay Tarriela, explained that the BRP Cabra had to transport the body of a fisherman who passed away off the coast of Silanguin Island, Zambales, on Monday.
Due to the vessel’s departure from an area where Chinese Coast Guard vessels have been illegally operating, PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan decided to deploy the 97-meter BRP Teresa Magbanua.
Tarriela reported that at least four Chinese vessels were being monitored including Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel 3304, located 82 to 88 nautical miles from Zambales; CCG 5901, the “monster ship,” around 99.37 nautical miles from Zambales near Bajo de Masinloc; CCG 3502, about 131.70 nautical miles from Zambales near Bajo de Masinloc; and CCG 3103, around 133.97 nautical miles from Zambales near Bajo de Masinloc.
Tarriela noted that the BRP Teresa Magbanua is actively engaging these Chinese vessels off the coast of Zambales.
The PCG meanwhile reported a surge in online trolls targeting government social media pages following increased transparency efforts in the WPS.
Tarriela said these trolls – persons or groups that deliberately post inflammatory messages – have been particularly aggressive in spreading misinformation about the WPS.
“I think this is their reaction to the transparency efforts that the National Task Force (NTF) for WPS is doing right now,” Tarriela said.
He added that the PCG and the NTF-WPS are developing strategies to “dominate the public discourse about our factual narrative.”
“We are committed to protecting the interests of Filipino fishermen and safeguarding our maritime jurisdiction. At the same time, as President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said, we should come up with actions that will not escalate the tension,” he said.