Philippines 'alarmed' by Chinese 'monster' boat near its shores

Chinese coast guard patrols are getting closer and closer to the coasts of the Philippines according to authorities who declared this Tuesday, January 14 to be “alarmed” notably by a coast guard boat “monster” spotted in January.

The presence of this “monster boat” of 165 meters, which was located 143 kilometers west of the province of Zambales (northwest), shows “increasing aggression” of China in these disputed waters according to the Philippine authorities.

“We do not accept these intimidation tactics”

“(The boats) are getting closer to the coast of the Philippines… and it’s alarming”Jonathan Malaya, spokesperson for the National Security Council, told journalists on Tuesday. The last operation is a “intimidation tactic” intended to discourage Philippine fishing, according to Malaya. “We do not and will not accept these intimidation tactics by backing down. We will not waver or retreat in the face of intimidation.”the spokesperson further declared.

For Jay Tarriela, a spokesperson for the Philippine Coast Guard, China “does not carry out very aggressive actions, but its mere presence is already worrying”. The Philippine Coast Guard deployed 84- and 97-meter vessels to pressure the Chinese boat into “moves away from the coast of Zambales” said Jonathan Malaya.

Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea despite an international court ruling indicating its claims have no legal basis. Relations between Manila and Beijing have become strained in recent months, notably with the increase in skirmishes around reefs in the South China Sea that the two countries are fighting over.