China's largest coast guard vessel enters Philippine waters near Luzon

China's largest coast guard vessel, known as "The Monster," entered Philippine waters on January 4, 2025. It approached within 50 nautical miles of Luzon, following its arrival at Scarborough Shoal on New Year's Day. The vessel is significantly larger than the Philippine Coast Guard's ships. The Monster was accompanied by three other Chinese coast guard vessels and seven militia ships. Scarborough Shoal, a traditional fishing area for Filipinos, is within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone but has seen restricted access due to Chinese control. In other news, the Office of Civil Defense reported five fatalities and extensive damage from severe weather across the Philippines. The ongoing shear line and intertropical convergence zone have caused heavy rains and flooding in multiple regions.