THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has spotted three Chinese research vessels off the coast of the provinces in the eastern portion of the Philippine exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
In a press conference on Saturday, November 30, 2024, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela identified China's research vessels as Xiang Yang Hong 3, Jia Geng, and Xiang Yang Hong 10.
He said on November 14, Jia Geng was spotted 200 nautical miles (NM or 370 kilometers (kms) east of Davao Oriental, within the country’s EEZ, while Xiang Yang Hong 3 was monitored 257 NM or 476 kms northeast of Santa Ana, Cagayan on November 17.
Xiang Yang Hong 10 was monitored at 200 NM or 370 kms east of Siargao Island from November 20 to 29.
On November 29, Xiang Yang Hong 3 was also seen at 211 NM or 391 kms east of Siargao Island. The ship was also monitored along with another vessel Zhang Jian near the Benham Rise or the Philippine Rise on November 4.
The official said that as of November 30, the vessels were located 210 nautical miles or roughly 389 kms east of Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte, outside the Philippine EEZ.
Tariella said the intention of the ships' entry in the Philippines’ EEZ is still unclear.
“We can only speculate, as long as hindi natin alam ano talaga ang intention ng People’s Republic of China, why are they conducting these research vessels nang malapit sa exclusive economic zone natin sa eastern seaboard,” he said.
“There must be a compelling reason for the Chinese government to deploy three research vessels all at the same time in one particular area,” he added.
Tariella said if the ships intend to conduct maritime scientific research, they should seek clearance from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) considering that they are entering the country’s EEZ, but they did not.
He said the matter will be forwarded to the National Task force WPS and the DFA for proper action.
Tariella said that as ordered by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., they are keeping their peaceful stance in resolving disputes in the WPS.
He said the government continues to deploy the PCG in the contested waters rather than forces from the Philippine Navy (PN) to avoid militarizing the dispute.
“The only reason why you see Coast Guard vessels in the West Philippine Sea is because we don’t want to militarize the dispute,” he said.
Tarriela said the deployment of PCG within the country’s maritime domain, particularly at the WPS, is “de-escalatory and non-provocative not just to China but even for other claimant states.”
Meanwhile, Tariella expressed gratitude to the government of France and Japan for backing PCG’s bid to modernize its assets and equipment.
He said the French government is helping PCG in making 40 35-meter fast patrol crafts while it will also acquire five more 97-meter patrol vessels from Japan. (TPM/SunStar Philippines)