Phl fishers urged: Ignore China 'monster'

Filipino fishermen should continue their activities in the country's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) as Philippine naval and air assets are keeping a close watch on the China Coast Guard's "monster ship," which was sighted near Lubang Island in Occidental Mindoro yesterday.

- By PIA LEE-BRAGO

National Security Council assistant director general Jonathan Malaya issued the call at a briefing yesterday after the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported spotting China's "monster ship," said to be the world's biggest coast guard vessel, moving from the northern part of Zambales toward Lubang Island.

"Based on laws, it's Philippine waters and within our exclusive economic zone and therefore (Filipinos) can fish there anytime. Our message to them is they should continue their fishing activities. Nothing has changed even if there's a (foreign) ship there," Malaya said at the briefing.

"We have all our assets pointed at this monster ship. At the moment, if it does something bad or in the sense of some provocative action, it will have to deal with appropriate response from the government," he said.

The PCG was able to detect the 165-meter "monster ship" using Canada's dark vessel detection system.

“We’re continuously doing radio challenge and we’re making sure the ship doesn’t create trouble inside our EEZ,” the NSC official said.