The Philippine Coast Guard announced it will deploy aircraft and ships to challenge and drive away four Chinese research vessels detected operating in waters claimed by the Philippines, citing concerns about one vessel described as an advanced drone mothership.
PCG spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela said the ships were tracked using Canada’s Dark Vessel Detection System and are believed to be conducting marine scientific research without Manila’s consent, a practice the coast guard says violates the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
The vessel of greatest concern was identified as Zhuhaiyun, described by authorities as an intelligent drone mothership capable of deploying and controlling more than 50 unmanned aerial, surface and underwater vehicles for large-scale ocean surveys. Zhuhaiyun was detected northwest of Bolinao, Pangasinan, near the Spratly Islands.
Three other Chinese research vessels were also identified. Xiangyanghong 33, an oceanographic survey ship equipped for deep-sea research and seafloor mapping, was spotted northwest of Rizal, Palawan. Shi Yan 1, a specialized marine research vessel with advanced acoustic sensors, was located west of Itbayat, Batanes. Jia Geng, a deep-sea research ship capable of launching unmanned underwater vehicles, was tracked northeast of Itbayat.
PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan said the coast guard will act firmly against unauthorised presence in Philippine waters. He stated the PCG will not tolerate any illegal marine scientific research conducted without government consent and confirmed the deployment of aircraft and vessels to challenge and expel the vessels to protect Philippine sovereignty and sovereign rights.
The move comes against a backdrop of ongoing tensions in the West Philippine Sea. The Armed Forces of the Philippines supported a civilian mission to Pag-asa Island organized by the Atin Ito coalition, which raised the Philippine flag on Sandy Cay as a peaceful assertion of sovereignty. The AFP previously said the coalition’s fourth civilian mission to Pag-asa would be granted safe passage, with the military providing maritime domain awareness and coordination.
Pag-asa Island, also known as Thitu, is the largest island in the Kalayaan Island Group and serves as the local administrative center. It measures about 32.7 hectares and has a permanent civilian population of roughly 200. The island is part of the Spratly chain, which Beijing also claims and refers to by a different name.
This report is based on a syndicated feed and was published as received.
