MANILA -- China Coast Guard's massive ship, dubbed The Monster, has been staying just less than 800 yards or some 700 meters from the Philippines Coast Guard's BRP Teresa Magbanua at Escoda Shoal, an official said Saturday. 

Based on PCG's tracking using Canada's Dark Vessel Detection technology, China's 165-meter ship CCG-5901 arrived at Escoda on July 3 after it loitered for two days near Ayungin Shoal, where the Philippines grounded its warship BRP Sierra Madre that serves as a naval outpost. 

It also deployed a rigid-hull inflatable boat (RHIB) around Escoda.

PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said Teresa Magbanua has been issuing radio challenges to the monster ship on an hourly basis.

The monster ship, however, has not responded to its intention but insisted on its sovereignty over the water and it is conducting a maritime law enforcement operation. 

READ: PCG tracks movement of China's 'monster' ship

"Ang China Coast Guard monster ship now is on the starboard side ng 9701, at we still don't know what's their intention. We have been challenging their presence through radio calls – sinasabihan natin sila na ang inangkorahehan nila, the place where they anchored is actually part of the exclusive economic zone ng ating bansa and that they do not have jurisdiction in that area," Tarriela told reporters in a briefing. 

China deployed its giant ship on July 1, despite the Philippines-China's conduct of the 9th meeting of Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea in Manila.

Former US Air Force officer Ray Powell, director of maritime transparency initiative Sealight, said China's deployment of its giant ship is meant to project its force, as it seeks to maximize its leverage in the consultations.

"From a Chinese perspective, it helps them to have more force projected and especially something large like the monster ship helps them to say, 'We have you at a disadvantage so you should have to negotiate more on our terms,'" Powell told ABS-CBN News. 

Powell added that with China's projection of dominance, it will then insist on concessions in return for stability, noting that Beijing always estimates de-escalation as the responsibility of the other party.

READ: China's monster ship holds 'intrusive patrol' in PH waters despite talks -- analyst

"China always places the first responsibility for the de-escalation on the other party. So, China has deployed its coast guard into the Philippine waters as a way of letting the Philippines know that it still claims jurisdiction and again they want to be able to negotiate on the de-escalation on terms favorable to China," he said.

Tarriela also believes CCG's deployment of the monster ship was meant to intimidate the Philippines. 

"We can say na it's an intimidation on the part of the Chinese coast guard. But again, regardless how many China Coast Guard vessels that they deploy there, regardless whether it's a PLA Navy vessel, ang Philippine Coast Guard will not be intimidated or not going to pull back and direct Teresa Magbanua to go back to Palawan. With the clear guidance of our president and the intention of the commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard to maintain our presence in Escoda Shoal, we're not going to pullout and we're not going to be intimidated," he said. 

NOT ANOTHER SIERRA MADRE

Meanwhile, Tarriela quashed suspicions that the Philippines will make Magbanua permanently stationed at Escoda, just like what it did to BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin, noting that it is PCG's flagship and most expensive ship.

Among PCG's largest ships, the 97-meter multi-role response vessel (MRRV) was deployed to Escoda in April to monitor Chinese activities over suspected reclamation works in the area. 

"Regardless of whatever comments the Chinese are saying – whether they are implicating that this is just another Sierra Madre or this is a way for us to violate anything na sinasabi nila – I think we don't have to listen to them. Again, the Teresa Magbanua's objective is only to advance our national interest and to safeguard our position in Escoda Shoal. So, we don't pay so much attention to the comments of the Chinese government," Tarriela said. 

Maritime expert: Deployment of China's 'monster ship' sends message to PH

Dr. Chester Cabalza, president and founder of think tank International Development and Security Cooperation, said Magbanua could serve as an outpost at Escoda, which he considered as a "very strategic decision" given the tiny shoal's location which is near Panganiban Reef (Mischief) and Ayungin Shoal, as well as Palawan island. 

"Para ito 'yong muhon na nilalagay mo doon sa territory mo. I think this is a visible landmark that you own the territory," Cabalza told ABS-CBN News.

He added that the ship could deter China's supposed reclamation attempt in the area.  

"Ang aking interpretation diyan is, of course, magiging permanent 'yan…which for me is, I think, a good move. Tama lang 'yong ginawa the same as when the Philippine Navy to put 'yong Sierra Madre doon sa Ayungin Shoal," Cabalza said.  

"Nakapaka-strategic at intelligent move 'yan na ginawa ng Philippine Navy for area denial and for deterrence capability rin 'yon, same as 'yong gagawin din diyan Escoda Shoal," he added. 

Powell also sees that the Philippines intends to keep its presence at Escoda, especially with the recent resupply mission.  

"I think that what the Philippines has made clear…is that it intends to keep Teresa Magbanua out there for the long term in order to one, maintain the Philippine presence at Escoda Shoal; and two, also to keep an eye on what China is doing to make sure that China doesn't create additional artificial features," Powell said. 

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