The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Monday it has deployed an aircraft to monitor and challenge a Chinese research vessel suspected of conducting a survey near Batanes.

In a press briefing, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Commodore Jay Tarriela said the 114-meter research vessel identified as the Zhong Shan Da Xue was located at approximately 103.86 nautical miles off Itbayat, Batanes as of 7 a.m. on 7 April.

The research vessel departed Guangdong province on 31 March and entered the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the north around 9 p.m. on 2 April.

“Since then, it stayed within our EEZ while appearing to conduct maritime scientific research because of its consistent patterns of navigation,” Tarriela said.

He said the vessel has been following an unusual route, like an inverted “D,” which is “not continuous and expeditious.”

Tarriela said the Chinese vessel had no permission to conduct marine research in the country’s EEZ.

“As far as we know, the Chinese government does not have any clearance or authority to conduct such marine scientific research within our exclusive economic zone up north,” he said.

Challenging the ship

Tarriela said PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan has ordered the deployment of a Coast Guard aircraft to document the activities of the Zhong Shan Da Xue.

“As we speak right now, the commandant of the PCG has directed our Coast Guard aircraft to challenge this Chinese research vessel and for us to document its unlawful activity in our exclusive economic zone up north,” he said.

Tarriela noted the PCG’s BRP Malapascua continued to challenge the Chinese research ship in the Philippine EEZ through repeated radio communications.

He emphasized that under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and Republic Act 12065, or the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, any foreign vessel intending to conduct scientific research within the Philippines’ maritime zones, including its EEZ and continental shelf, must first obtain prior consent from the Philippine government.

The UNCLOS also underscores that any research being conducted in Philippine waters should be beneficial to the Filipino people.

Tarriela said the PCG vessel was deployed to closely monitor the research vessel until it exited Philippine waters.

“We need to make China realize that they need to respect the sovereign rights of other countries, and call them out to stop doing scientific research in somebody else’s exclusive economic zone,” he said.

Blatant disregard for safety

Meanwhile, Tarriela criticized a China Coast Guard (CCG) ship’s “blatant disregard for safety, after “it engaged in reckless and dangerous maneuvers.”

He described the CCG ship’s action as an “alarming incident” when it “attempted a head-on collision” with the smaller PCG vessel conducting a maritime patrol approximately 96 nautical miles off Capones Island.

The incident raised “concerns about the China Coast Guard’s adherence to the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972 of which they are a signatory,” he said.

“It was only due to the seamanship skills and professionalism of the crew aboard the BRP Cabra that the collision was narrowly avoided,” the commodore said.

Despite the CCG’s “provocative actions,” Tarriela said the “PCG maintains a composed and professional approach, prioritizing safety and the prevention of any untoward incidents.”