THE military yesterday said the Chinese Navy fisheries research vessel earlier spotted off Palawan has not committed any infraction as it continues to move out of the country.
Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad, Navy spokesman for the West Philippine Sea, said CRV Lan Hai 101 was west of Subic Bay in Zambales before noon yesterday.
“By midnight or early morning (Wednesday), it will be out of the northern part of EEZ (exclusive economic zone),” he said in a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo.
The vessel was monitored by a Navy littoral monitoring station in Palawan last Sunday, passing through the Sulu Sea. It was promptly challenged by the Navy and escorted by Navy and Coast Guard vessels.
“They were challenged when they were within radio frequency range. They responded accordingly … This is the expected behavior of foreign ships from any country, that pass through our archipelagic waters,” said Trinidad.
Trinidad said the crew of the Chinese vessel, during the radio challenge, said they came from the Port of Klang in Malaysia and was heading to Shandong, China.
“They gave their last port of call, their next port of call, the skipper’s name with 56 crew members. And they were passing through our archipelagic sea lanes because of the inclement weather in the western part of Palawan,” said Trinidad.
“Their passage was continuous and expeditious … This particular fisheries research vessel complied with the established protocols in replying to challenges,” he added.
Trinidad said foreign vessels are allowed to pass through the country’s archipelagic waters “but once challenged, they are expected to reply accordingly to established protocols.”
“They’re heading back to Shandong, China. They opted to pass through our archipelagic waters east of Palawan (due) unfavorable weather condition on the western part of Palawan,” said Trinidad.
US maritime expert Ray Powell first reported the presence of the Chinese in the country’s archipelagic waters on Monday. This was later confirmed by the Navy.
Powell said the vessel is one of China’s two largest fisheries research ships. The other, Lan Hai 201, is conducting survey in the Arabian Sea.
