Chinese chopper shadows PCG ship

(UPDATE) CHINA on Tuesday deployed a People's Liberation Army Navy (PLA-N) helicopter to shadow a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel on a surveillance mission in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

In a report Wednesday, the PCG said the PLA-N helicopter, identified by tail number 47, hovered above the BRP Cabra that was monitoring the activities of the China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel with bow number 5901, known as «The Monster» because of its size.

The PCG had previously challenged the legality of the Chinese vessel's operations in the area, asserting that the CCG-5901 had no authority to enforce maritime laws roughly 60 to 70 nautical miles off the coast of Zambales.

Commodore Jay Tarriela, spokesman of the Philippine Coast Guard on the West Philippine Sea. PHOTOS BY RENE H. DILAN

The PCG said the CCG-5901 had been operating within the Philippine EEZ for four consecutive days without permission, prompting the Philippine vessel to challenge the Chinese ship's presence over radio. This challenge was an assertion of Philippine sovereignty over its waters.

The overflight by the PLA-N helicopter further heightened the tense atmosphere. PCG Commandant Adm. Ronnie Gil Gavan instructed his personnel to exercise restraint in light of the provocative actions by the Chinese forces. He emphasized the importance of remaining composed to avoid actions that might escalate the situation further.

In an update, the PCG reported that the CCG-5901 had departed the Zambales coastline and was now about 90 nautical miles offshore. In its place, the PCG tracked another Chinese vessel, CCG-3103, which had departed Guangdong Province the day before and was heading towards the previous location of the CCG-5901.

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At 3 p.m. on Thursday, CCG-3103 was detected by Canada's Dark Vessel Detection system about 60 nautical miles from Pandaquit in Zambales. The proximity of the vessel suggested that it was likely replacing the «monster ship» in its unlawful activities in Philippine waters, continuing the CCG's illegal presence within the Philippine EEZ, the PCG said.

To monitor the situation closely, the PCG deployed an Islander aircraft to the area. The aircraft confirmed