Palace Concerned Over Presence of Chinese 'Monster Ship'

Malacañang yesterday expressed concern over the presence of what has been described as a Chinese "monster ship" off the province of Zambales, even as it gave assurance that the latest intrusion into the West Philippine Sea is continuously being challenged.

- Alexis Romero, Mark Ernest Villeza, Michael Punongbayan

The China Coast Guard (CCG) ship, first seen off the coast of Capones Island in Zambales, is equipped with anti-aircraft guns and fuel storage capacities and is bigger than a US Navy destroyer, according to a Bloomberg report.

The 12,000-ton CCG-5901 reportedly arrived near the Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal this month.

"We view it with concern," Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said when asked to react to the presence of the massive Chinese vessel in the West Philippine Sea.

"So far we have been challenging the presence of that monster ship. Our Coast Guard has always been very alert in following the presence of that monster ship. It keeps appearing and it is within our exclusive economic zone, so it is being challenged," he said.