Manila: In a move that is likely to give rise to fresh tension in the region, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) deployed its ships and aircraft, on Sunday, to drive away four Chinese research vessels detected operating in the country’s waters without authorisation.
Meanwhile, a civilian mission to Pag-asa (Thitu) Island in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) drew praise from the military.
According to the Manila Bulletin, the PCG assessed that the Chinese vessels, monitored using Canada’s Dark Vessel Detection system, were conducting research activities without the consent of the Philippine government, in clear violation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The Chinese ships were identified by the PCG as Zhuhaiyun, the world’s first intelligent drone mothership; Xiangyanghong 33, an advanced oceanographic survey vessel; Shi Yan 1, a research vessel specializing in marine science and hydro-acoustics; and Jia Geng, a modern deep-sea research vessel.
Zhuhaiyun was monitored 102.11 nautical miles northwest off Bajo de Masinloc (BDM) or 171.18 nautical miles west off Bolinao, Pangasinan; Xiangyanghong 33 was spotted 140.47 nautical miles northwest off Rizal, Palawan and within the vicinity of Quirino Atoll; Shi Yan 1 was detected approximately 118 nautical miles west off Itbayat, Batanes; and Jia Geng was located 88.36 nautical miles northeast off Itbayat, the Coast Guard said.
Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, commandant, PCG, ordered the immediate deployment of aircraft and vessels to challenge and drive away the Chinese research vessels.
“In furtherance of the policy directive of President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr, the Philippine Coast Guard remains steadfast in safeguarding the country’s maritime domain. We will not tolerate any illegal marine scientific research conducted without our government’s consent,” Gavan said.
“We are deploying aircraft and vessels to challenge and drive away these unauthorized vessels to protect Philippine sovereignty and sovereign rights,” he added.
The Chinese Embassy in Manila, however, said the Chinese research vessels operating near Philippine waters were conducting lawful scientific activities and denied claims that they violated international law.
The embassy’s deputy spokesperson Guo Wei said the vessel Jiageng was proceeding east of the Philippines on a normal transit through the Bashi Channel while carrying out scientific research.
“The Chinese research vessel Jiageng is proceeding as planned to waters east of the Philippines to conduct scientific research. It is making a normal transit through the Bashi Channel,” Guo said.
The three other Chinese research vessels were operating in areas he described as “Chinese jurisdiction in the South China Sea”, he added.
The activities complied with international law and maritime practice, Guo stressed.
“The navigation and research activities of these vessels comply with international law and practice, including the relevant conventions, and are beyond reproach,” he added.
In another move that has clearly irked Beijing, the civilian-led “Atin Ito” Coalition successfully reached Pag-asa (Thitu) Island and planted the Philippine flag on a nearby location that has been a maritime flashpoint in the West Philippines Sea (WPS).
“This is not merely a symbolic gesture; it is a powerful assertion of our sovereign rights and a demonstration of active citizenship in the face of external challenges,” retired Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson for WPS, said.
The Atin Ito Coalition’s main vessel, MV Kapitan Felix Oca, reached Pag-asa Island around 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 2. Around 5:40 a.m. on Sunday, a small team navigated a rubber boat from Pag-asa Island to Pag-asa Cay 2, slipping past multiple Chinese vessels monitoring the area to plant a Philippine flag.
Pag-asa Cay 2 is an extension of Pag-asa Island and sits firmly within Philippine territorial waters. It has recently become a site of intense friction due to the constant presence of the China Coast Guard (CCG) and reports of nearby artificial island-building.
