The Philippines has deployed vessels and aircraft to closely monitor a gigantic Chinese coast guard ship – the world’s largest – in waters off Luzon island, Filipino officials said, describing the ship as a menacing presence in its exclusive economic zone. The 12,000-ton China Coast Guard vessel 5901, known as “The Monster” for its sheer size, was last seen on Saturday about 54 nautical miles from Capones, a Philippine island in the South China Sea close to the coast of western Zambales province.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has been shadowing CCG 5901 and transmitting radio messages asking it to leave Philippine waters, said Jonathan Malaya, assistant director general of the National Security Council.