THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) yesterday said it has monitored a Chinese vessel conducting illegal marine scientific research off Ilocos Norte.
Commodore Jay Tarriela, the PCG’s spokesman for the West Philippine Sea, said the research vessel, Tan Suo 3, was first monitored last May 1, some 92 nautical miles off Burgos town.
In a statement, Tarriela said a PCG vessel, BRP Teresa Magbanua, arrived at the area yesterday. A PCG aircraft was also dispatched from Laoag City to conduct maritime domain awareness flight yesterday.
Tarriela said the PCG vessel and the aircraft issued radio challenges to the Chinese research vessel. He said the crew members of the Chinese vessel were informed that they were operating within the Philippines’ 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
“Their irregular movements were deemed inconsistent with the freedom of navigation and indicative of marine scientific research activities, which violate the sovereign rights of the Philippines,” said Tarriela.
“They were instructed to cease their unlawful activities, clarify their intentions, and ensure continuous transit within the EEZ in compliance with both international and Philippine laws,” added Tarriela.
Tarriela said the PCG, during the operation, spotted a manned deep-sea submersible vessel which was fast approaching the Chinese research vessel.
He said the submersible vessel, known as Shenhai Yongshi or Deep-Sea Warrior, was retrieved by the crew of Tan Suo 3.
He said the submersible vessel is “engineered for deep-sea exploration and scientific research, with the capability to dive to depths of 4,500 meters.”
Tarriela also said a rigid-hull inflatable boat was deployed by the Chinese to recover a yellow-colored equipment which he said may also be associated with the marine scientific research.
“These actions of the CRV (Chinese research vessel) serves as clear evidence that the People’s Republic of China are conducting illegal marine scientific research activities within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone, lacking the legal authority to undertake such activities in this area,” said Tarriela.
Tarriela said the presence of the PCG vessel “has effectively prevented the Chinese research vessel from continuing its unlawful activities within the Philippines’ EEZ.”
Many Chinese research vessels have been sighted in the Philippine waters in the past, including Zhong Shan Da Xue, which was monitored off Batanes last month.
