PCG deploys assets vs Chinese ship over ‘unauthorized’ research

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) deployed aircraft and vessels to challenge a Chinese deep-sea research ship allegedly conducting “unauthorized” marine scientific research near Hubo Reef in the West Philippine Sea.

The deployment was followed by surveillance reports that the vessel was conducting diving operations within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Upon the order of PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, the vessels were dispatched directly to confront the Chinese vessel Tan Suo Yi Hao and disrupt its alleged unauthorized marine scientific research activities.

“Any seabed survey, sampling, or mapping undertaken by Tan Suo Yi Hao without such consent is illegal and unauthorized,” said the PCG in a statement on Sunday.

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Gavan said China is orchestrating the use of fishing vessels and marine scientific research vessels in multiple areas of the Philippines’ maritime domain to thinly spread operational capabilities as well as strain logistics and sustainment.

Furthermore, he said China’s use of fishing and research vessels “pressure the Philippines toward acquiescence to a normalized, illegal, and expansive claim.” 

“The PCG will not waver. We will execute the guidance of the President not to lose even a square inch of our territory and jurisdiction,” Gavan added.

The PCG also said the Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed that China had not sought Philippine consent for the vessel to conduct maritime scientific research with the country’s EEZ.

Using Dark Vessel Detection and Automatic Identification System tracking, the PCG traced the vessel’s departure from waters near Sanya, Hainan on Oct. 2 and its entry into the Philippine EEZ on Oct. 9.

“These are not isolated incidents,” Admiral Gavan said in a statement.

On Oct 10, the vessel was stationary about 12 nautical miles northwest of Katimugan Bank.

The following day, the vessel was spotted about five nautical miles west-northwest of Hubo Reef, slowly moving eastward. 

The PCG issued several radio calls challenging the vessel, but received no response.

A China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel 5306 was also monitored about 6.8 nautical miles south of Hubo Reef and another CCG vessel about 12.7 nautical miles southwest of the reef.

Two Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy vessels were also seen in nearby waters, one about 22.8 nautical miles northeast of Escoda Shoal and another about 11.3 nautical miles south-southeast of Katimugan Bank.

Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Philippines exercises sovereign rights and jurisdiction over its EEZ and continental shelf.

The PCG said these were affirmed by the 2016 arbitral award and further established under the Philippine Maritime Zone Act. /das

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