Philippines fishers urged: Ignore China ‘monster’

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino fishermen should continue their activities in the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) as Philippine naval and air assets are keeping a close watch on the China Coast Guard’s “monster ship,” which was sighted near Lubang Island in Occidental Mindoro yesterday.

National Security Council assistant director general Jonathan Malaya issued the call at a briefing yesterday after the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported spotting China’s “monster ship,” said to be the world’s biggest coast guard vessel, moving from the northern part of Zambales toward Lubang Island.

“Based on laws, it’s Philippine waters and within our exclusive economic zone and therefore (Filipinos) can fish there anytime. Our message to them is they should continue their fishing activities. Nothing has changed even if there’s a (foreign) ship there,” Malaya said at the briefing.

“We have all our assets pointed at this monster ship. At the moment, if it does something bad or in the sense of some provocative action, it will have to deal with appropriate response from the government,” he said.

The PCG was able to detect the 165-meter “monster ship” using Canada’s dark vessel detection system.

“We’re continuously doing radio challenge and we’re making sure the ship doesn’t create trouble inside our EEZ,” the NSC official said.

He said China’s deployment of large vessels was meant to scare away Filipino fishermen. “In response, we’re stepping up the presence of vessels from BFAR (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources) and the PCG in the area to support our fishermen,” he said.

Yesterday, PCG spokesman for West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela reported the presence of the “monster ship” near Occidental Mindoro.

“This morning, it is 80 nautical miles away from Lubang Island, Occidental Mindoro,” Tarriela said over radio dzBB.

There was no report of harassment of Filipino fishermen in the area, he said. The 165-meter CCG ship was first spotted 54 nautical miles from Capones Island, Zambales, which is within the Philippines’ 200-nautical-mile EEZ, on Jan. 4.

In response, the PCG deployed BRP Cabra, a helicopter and a PCG Caravan aircraft to confirm the sighting and