The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) deployed ships and aircraft on May 3 (Sunday) to drive away four unauthorized Chinese research vessels operating in Philippine waters.
According to the Manila Bulletin, the PCG used ships and aircraft on May 3 to expel four Chinese vessels conducting unauthorized activities in Philippine waters. The PCG stated that through the Canadian “Dark Vessel Detection system,” it was assessed that these Chinese vessels were conducting research activities without the consent of the Philippine government, in clear violation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
PCG Commander, Navy Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan immediately ordered the deployment of aircraft and ships to warn and expel these Chinese research vessels.
Gavan said, “Based on the policy directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the Philippine Coast Guard will steadfastly guard the country’s maritime domain. We will not tolerate any illegal marine scientific research conducted without government consent… to safeguard the sovereignty and sovereign rights of the Philippines.”
The PCG confirmed that these Chinese vessels were:
1) “Zhuhaiyun”: the world’s first intelligent unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) mothership
2) “Xiangyanghong 33”: an advanced oceanographic survey ship
3) “Shi Yan 1”: specializing in marine science and hydroacoustic research
4) “Jia Geng”: a modern deep-sea research vessel
The “Zhuhaiyun” was located approximately 102.11 nautical miles northwest of Bajo de Masinloc; “Xiangyanghong 33” appeared about 140.47 nautical miles northwest off Balabac, Palawan, near Quirino Atoll; “Shi Yan 1” was situated around 118 nautical miles west of Itbayat in Batanes; and “Jia Geng” was approximately 88.36 nautical miles northeast of Itbayat.
However, the Chinese Embassy in Manila denied the accusation of violating international law, claiming that these Chinese research vessels operating in the vicinity of the Philippines were conducting legitimate scientific research.
Deputy spokesperson Guo Wei of the Chinese embassy stated that “Jia Geng” was planned to transit the Bashi Strait to conduct research activities in the eastern waters of the Philippines; the other three Chinese research vessels were operating within “China’s jurisdictional waters in the South China Sea.”
On May 2, the Philippine civil group Atin Ito Alliance raised the Philippine flag at a sovereignty-disputed hotspot in the West Philippine Sea,
AFP spokesperson for the Western Philippine Sea, Roy Vincent Trinidad, stated that the main ship of the “Atin Ito” Alliance, “MV Kapitan Felix Oca,” arrived at Thitu Island on May 2 (Saturday) around 5:30 PM. In the early morning of May 3 (Sunday) around 5:40 AM, a small team led by Akbayan Congressman Dadah Kiram Ismula departed from Thitu Island to Pag-asa Cay 2, successfully evading multiple Chinese surveillance ships and proudly raising the Philippine flag.
Ismula described the flag-raising operation as a “peaceful but resolute defiance” against China.
Before reaching Thitu Island, the civilian fleet was followed and monitored by three Chinese Coast Guard ships. Despite this, the advance team successfully reached Thitu Island on Friday evening, unloading food and fuel supplies for the island residents.
Pag-asa Cay 2 is an extension of Thitu Island located within Philippine territorial waters. Due to ongoing presence of Chinese Coast Guard and reports of nearby artificial island construction, the area has recently become a friction hotspot.