Monster’ ship gone from EEZ but for how long?

China Coast Guard 5901, the world’s largest coast guard ship also known as “The Monster,” has left the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the West Philippine Sea, the Armed Forces of the Philippines confirmed Thursday. In a radio interview, AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said the 165-meter ship was monitored “fleeting” in the Philippines’ waters.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) last Friday, maritime security analyst Ray Powell said the CCG ship conducted a brief “intrusive patrol” west of Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Panatag Shoal or Scarborough Shoal in the WPS.

“China conducts intrusive patrols deep within the exclusive economic zones of neighboring countries to establish a continuous presence and gradually normalize Chinese jurisdiction over areas granted to its neighbors under international law,” Powell, a former United States Air Force official and ex-defense attaché, wrote in his post.

Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad, the Navy spokesperson for the WPS, confirmed the “Monster” entered the location 50 nautical miles from Panatag Shoal on the morning of 24 May.

China’s largest ship was accompanied by a smaller CCG vessel with bow number 5203.

Padilla reiterated the two CCG vessels earlier sighted near Bajo de Masinloc had left the Philippine waters as of Sunday.

“It is now out of our EEZ,” she said. Despite the ships’ departure, Padilla said the AFP continues to monitor the situation in the area.

“The AFP continues to conduct regular monitoring and maritime operations within the West Philippine Sea to ensure the security and safety of our maritime domain,” she stressed.

Padilla said the AFP’s presence in the area “underscores their dedication to protecting the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and upholding international law.”