The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson announced on May 7th (Thursday) on their social media platform X account that PCG aircraft had issued a warning regarding the illegal maritime research and the gathering of Chinese maritime militia by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). On May 6th, PCG discovered a CCP research vessel, a CCP coast guard ship, and 13 CCP maritime militia ships near Rozul Reef.
According to PCG spokesperson Jay Tarriela, on May 6th during a routine maritime situational awareness flight in the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG), PCG issued a warning to the CCP vessels engaged in unlawful marine scientific research activities.
Tarriela stated in the post that PCG’s patrol aircraft (Islander 4177) observed the CCP oceanographic survey vessel “Xiang Yang Hong 33” anchored about 7.34 nautical miles west of Rozul Reef. At that time, the “Xiang Yang Hong 33” was deploying a workboat to the reef area, confirming its unauthorized marine scientific research operation in an area rich in oil and gas resources.
The patrol aircraft also monitored a CCP coast guard ship (CCGV BN 5309) lingering in the western waters of Rozul Reef, with another 13 CCP maritime militia ships anchored in the surrounding waters. Furthermore, as the patrol aircraft approached Pag-asa Island, it observed 28 CCP maritime militia ships, some of which were docked side by side, while others were scattered in the nearby waters. Additionally, the patrol aircraft spotted a CCP coast guard ship (CCG 5101) about 2 nautical miles west of Pag-asa Island.
Within the same post, Tarriela also disclosed the activity route of “Xiang Yang Hong 33” since mid-April. According to data from the Canadian Dark Vessel Detection system, “Xiang Yang Hong 33” departed from China on April 15th and engaged in systematic survey activities in multiple areas within the Philippine exclusive economic zone. The vessel operated near Ayungin Shoal from April 20th to 22nd, accompanied by two support vessels “Yue Xia Yu Zhi 20027” and “Yue Xia Yu Zhi 20026.”
From April 22nd to 28th, “Xiang Yang Hong 33” moved to Escoda Shoal, operated near Arellano Reef and Bulig Shoal from April 28th to May 1st, entered the waters of Panganiban Reef from May 1st to 3rd, and was active in Quirino Atoll and Rozul Reef from May 3rd to 6th.
On May 3rd (Sunday), the Philippine Coast Guard deployed ships and aircraft to drive away four Chinese research vessels conducting unauthorized activities in Philippine waters, including the “Xiang Yang Hong 33.”
Starting from May 6th, the Automatic Identification System (AIS) showed “Xiang Yang Hong 33” relocating from Jacinto Reef to Diego Silang Reef.
According to Tarriela, these actions by the CCP blatantly violate the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). As per the convention, conducting marine scientific research in a coastal state’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) requires explicit consent from the coastal state. However, the Philippines has not authorized China to conduct any marine scientific research activities in the aforementioned waters. The Philippines believes that the recent maritime operations of “Xiang Yang Hong 33” and the large-scale gathering of CCP maritime militia ships have seriously infringed upon the sovereignty and maritime jurisdiction of the Philippines.
Ronnie Gil Gavan, Admiral and Chief of the Philippine Coast Guard, stated, “The Philippine Coast Guard, in line with President Ferdinand Marcos’s firm stance, will continue to fulfill its duties, monitor and protect the maritime domain of the Philippines according to international law. We will continue to undertake lawful maritime operations and challenge any illegal activities that undermine our sovereignty and sovereign rights.”
On Thursday, the Chinese coast guard also issued a statement accusing the Philippines of distorting facts and warning to “stop illegal harassment, defamation, and provocative propaganda”; the operations of “Xiang Yang Hong 33” were described as “legal marine ecological surveys,” and the Philippines’ coast guard aircraft “intentionally approach and harass” the research vessel.
The Chinese Embassy in Manila claimed that the scientific research activities of the Chinese research vessel conducted in waters considered under Chinese jurisdiction are in line with international law as “normal activities.”