Chinese Coast Guard's monster ship threatens Philippine waters
- A Chinese Coast Guard vessel was spotted 54 miles off the Capones Island, prompting a response from the Philippine Coast Guard.
- An unmanned underwater drone, believed to be Chinese-made, was discovered near Masbate province, raising national security concerns.
- The Philippines is intensifying efforts to counter Chinese incursions amid ongoing territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
In recent weeks, tensions have escalated between China and the Philippines regarding territorial claims in the South China Sea. Philippine fishermen discovered an unmanned underwater drone identified as Chinese-made near San Pascual in Masbate province on December 30, prompting an investigation by local authorities. The drone, labeled 'HY-119,' is believed to be used for navigation and reconnaissance, raising alarms concerning national security and China's increasing activity in areas within the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). This drone incident follows the sighting of China's 12,000-ton Coast Guard vessel, known as the 'monster ship' CCG 5901, near Scarborough Shoal, which lies within the Philippines' EEZ but has been under Chinese control since 2012. The presence of this significant naval vessel, along with Chinese ships using aggressive tactics against Philippine vessels, highlights China's efforts to assert dominance over the region. Recently, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) officials have stepped up responses to these encroachments, dispatching their own vessels and aircraft to challenge Chinese operations. Commodore Jay Tarriela, a spokesman for the PCG, stated the agency acted in accordance with international law to safeguard Philippine sovereignty. Additionally, there is increasing concern about the implications of these developments for the safety of Filipino fishermen, especially at Scarborough Shoal, a resource-rich fishing ground. Various countries, including the United States, have engaged in freedom-of-navigation operations in the area, indicating that the South China Sea remains a flashpoint for regional tensions with implications for global security and trade. As the Philippines continues to respond to these incursions, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has committed to defending national interests against increasing Chinese provocations, leading to heightened maritime confrontations and international scrutiny of China's actions in the region.