China’s ‘monster ship’ still anchored in Escoda Shoal, confirms PCG

THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Wednesday said that the China Coast Guard (CCG) 5901, the world’s largest coast guard ship known as “The Monster,” is still anchored in Escoda Shoal.

In a Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Commodore Jay Tarriela said the Chinese vessel has never left Escoda or Sabina Shoal since July 3.

“We have reported since last week that we monitored the presence of this CCG monster ship inside the Escoda Shoal anchored at a distance around 600 yards away from BRP Terese Magbanua,” he said.

“I would like to confirm that as of 7:30 in the morning, the last image that I got from our Coast Guard personnel, the CCG monster ship remains to be inside the Escoda Shoal. It never departed and is still anchored there,” he added.

Escoda or Sabina Shoal is located 75 nautical miles or about 140 kilometers off Palawan and considered to be within the Philippines’ 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ). 

It is a coral reef formation with a central lagoon surrounded by discontinuous shallow sections.

BRP Teresa Magbanua has been stationed in Escoda Shoal since April amid reports of China’s reclamation activities in the area.