Coast Guard to send ships, planes vs Chinese research vessels

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard said it will deploy vessels and aircraft to challenge and drive away Chinese research ships conducting what it described as unlawful marine scientific research in the West Philippine Sea.

In a statement Sunday, May 3, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Adm. Jay Tarriela said four Chinese research vessels were detected operating within Philippine waters without government consent.

The ships were identified using Canada’s Dark Vessel Detection System, he said.

Tarriela said the activities violate Philippine sovereignty, as foreign marine scientific research requires authorization from the government.

The PCG said the following vessels were monitored:

• XIANGYANGHONG 33 — an oceanographic survey vessel — was stationary about 140.47 nautical miles northwest of Rizal, Palawan, near Quirino Atoll.
• SHI YAN 1 — a research vessel equipped for hydro-acoustic and geophysical surveys — was underway about 118 nautical miles west of Itbayat, Batanes.
• JIA GENG — a deep-sea research vessel capable of deploying unmanned underwater vehicles — was underway about 88.36 nautical miles northeast of Itbayat.
• ZHUHAIYUN — an unmanned systems mothership designed for multi-domain ocean surveys — was stationary about 102.11 nautical miles northwest of Bajo de Masinloc, or about 171.18 nautical miles west of Bolinao, Pangasinan.

Response planned

Tarriela said the PCG would send assets to assert Philippine jurisdiction and ensure the vessels cease their activities.

He said the deployment is meant to “challenge and drive away” the ships operating without clearance.

The PCG reiterated that any marine scientific research within Philippine waters requires prior authorization from the government.