AFP monitors presence of China Coast Guard’s ‘monster ship’ in West Philippine Sea

Transcript

00:00In fictional tales, monsters are often depicted as instigators of mayhem and chaos.

00:05Unfortunately, a monster in the form of a Chinese ship in real life is having a similar effect,

00:11causing Philippine authorities to be worried about the peace and stability in the region,

00:15which is something our side wants to preserve for as long as we can.

00:20Patrick de Jesus tells us more.

00:22The number of Chinese vessel sightings in the West Philippine Sea has slightly increased.

00:30The latest monitoring of the Philippine Navy spotted 129 Chinese ships,

00:36of which 40 were in Ayungin or Second Thomas Shoal, including six China Coast Guard ships,

00:4230 maritime militia vessels, and four warships. The AFP also monitored the presence

00:49of the China Coast Guard's largest, dubbed the Monster Ship, that even passed near the

00:54BRP Sierra Madre where the tensions boiled over last week during a Philippine resupply mission.

01:01The armed forces said the presence of a 12,000-ton monster ship of the CCG is part

01:08of a broader pattern of intrusive patrols aimed at asserting unlawful claims of China

01:14within the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Philippines.

01:18The AFP also emphasized this is contrary to maintaining peace and stability in the region.

01:25The AFP then assured to continue to monitor and report any developments in the West Philippine

01:31Sea while calling on all nations to respect international law and refrain from actions

01:37that escalate tensions. In a tweet of maritime security expert Ray Powell,

01:43the Monster Ship of China was lastly monitored just 40 nautical miles from El Nido, Palawan.

01:50It also sailed to other hotspots in the West Philippine Sea, including Pagasa or Titu Island,

01:57and Escoda or Sabina Shoal. It even went as far as Luconia Shoals,

02:02which is under Malaysia's sovereignty and jurisdiction.

02:06For the spokesperson of the Philippine Navy on issues pertaining to the West Philippine Sea,

02:11countries in the ASEAN region should also speak up against the illegal actions of China.

02:33A maritime law expert meanwhile suggested replacing current officials of the Chinese

02:39embassy in Manila. Professor Jay Batong-Bacal said that in the previous years, the Chinese

02:45embassy did nothing but to dampen ties between the two countries, such as leaking an alleged

02:51phone conversation regarding the West Philippine Sea and confidential discussions with the DFA.

03:09We are trying to get the comment of Chinese embassy, but have yet to receive one.

03:30Patrick de Azuz, from the National TV, for a new and better Philippines.