Philippine officials said today, January 14, that a "monster" Chinese coast guard ship has been patrolling around the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea in recent days, according to AP.
Philippine officials also said that after patrolling around Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, the Chinese coast guard ship moved toward the northwestern coast of the Philippines today, January 14, approaching as close as 77 nautical miles (143 km), according to AP.
Jay Tarriela, an officer with the Philippine Coast Guard, said that two Philippine coast guard vessels, supported by a small surveillance aircraft, repeatedly ordered the 165-meter-long Chinese coast guard ship to leave the "Philippines' exclusive economic zone."
Photo provided by the Philippine Coast Guard shows Chinese Coast Guard ship 5901 in waters Manila claims are within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone on January 13.
"The presence of this monster ship in Philippine waters… 77 nautical miles from our shores is unacceptable and therefore the Chinese government should immediately withdraw the ship," Jonathan Malaya, assistant director general of the Philippine National Security Council, said at a press conference alongside senior military and coast guard officials.
“You are backing us into a corner,” Mr. Malaya said of China. “We do not and will not give in to these intimidation tactics by backing down. We do not flinch or succumb to intimidation. On the contrary, it strengthens our resolve because we know we are right,” Mr. Malaya stressed.
"Will this lead to another lawsuit? All options are on the table because the closer this giant ship is to Philippine waters, the more it raises tensions and the more the Philippine government is considering things it has never considered before," said Malaya.
Asked about Malaya's remarks, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said the coast guard patrols were legitimate and justifiable, according to AP. "We once again urge the Philippines to immediately stop all malicious infringements, provocations and hype," Guo said.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/philippines-to-trung-quoc-dua-tau-quai-vat-den-bien-dong-185250114203643901.htm
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