China's largest coast guard ship, called "The Monster" (CCG 5901), entered Philippine waters on Saturday, January 4. According to SeaLight, a project that monitors activities in the South China Sea, the ship is at a distance of 50 nautical miles from Luzon. Retired US Air Force Col. Ray Powell, director of SeaLight, that this move by the ship aims to strengthen China's claim to the said territory.
"The Monster," weighing 12,000 tons, is five times larger than the Philippine Coast Guard's largest ship. It arrived at Scarborough Shoal, or Bajo de Masinloc, on New Year's Day with other Chinese coast guard ships and several militia ships. Scarborough Shoal is a traditional fishing ground for Filipino fishermen, but it is constantly blocked by Chinese ships.
The incident is part of a series of "intrusive patrols" by China in the West Philippine Sea. In 2024, the ship was also seen near El Nido, Palawan, and other places such as Pag-asa Island and Ayungin Shoal. According to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), these measures are a clear violation of international maritime laws and are aimed at enforcing China's illegal claims.
China, a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos), continues to claim parts of the South China Sea using "historic rights," despite a 2016 international tribunal ruling rejecting their claim. Experts called for the Philippines to fight for its right under international law to protect the country's sovereignty.
