Chinese Coast Guard vessel 5901, or the "monster ship," off the coast of Zambales on February 1, 2025. Handout/Philippine Coast Guard

MANILA -- The vessel driven away by the BRP Teresa Magbanua has been replaced by China's "monster ship," according to the Philippine Coast Guard.

But the PCG said it has been keeping the ship, CCG 5901, away from the Zambales coast line.

"The Philippine Coast Guard, BRP Teresa Magbanua, has successfully maneuvered the China Coast Guard vessel CCG-3304 further away from the coastline of Zambales. Currently, CCG-3304 has been replaced by the CCG-5901, commonly referred to as the 'monster ship,'" they said in a statement.

BRP Teresa Magbanua pushes Chinese vessel further away from Zambales: PCG

"Despite this, the PCG is effectively maintaining a distance of approximately 110-115 nautical miles from the coast of Zambales."

The PCG said it has consistently asserted that the actions of the China Coast Guard are illegal and in violation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), to which China is a signatory. 

BRP Teresa Magbanua keeps eye on China Coast Guard ship off Zambales

On Thursday, the BRP Teresa Magbanua successfully pushed CCG-3304 further away from the coast of Zambales. At the time, they were already monitoring three other Chinese vessels, including the "monster ship."

The PCG also monitored CCG-3502 and CCG-3103 off the coast of Zambales last week.