PCG deploys vessel, aircraft to drive away Chinese research ship off Batanes

Make this your preferred source to get more updates from this publisher on Google.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Thursday deployed a patrol vessel and an aircraft to drive away a Chinese research vessel allegedly conducting unauthorized marine scientific research off Itbayat, Batanes.

In a statement, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela said the JIA HAI KE 7 was conducting unauthorized marine scientific research within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

“Under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, no foreign vessel may conduct marine scientific research in the Philippine EEZ without the express consent of the Philippine government,” he said.

“The Department of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that no such consent was given to JIA HAI KE 7. The PCG will continue to challenge, disrupt, and drive away the vessel until it leaves Philippine waters,” he added.

According to Tarriela, the JIA HAI KE 7 had been operating in waters about 37 nautical miles northwest of Itbayat since the PCG confirmed its presence on September 28.

The PCG deployed BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701) and Islander aircraft 251 to the area.

At around 7:55 a.m., BRP Teresa Magbanua approached the JIA HAI KE 7 to within less than 100 yards and deployed a rigid-hull inflatable boat (RHIB), which repeatedly circled the Chinese vessel.

The JIA HAI KE 7 repeatedly maneuvered to evade the Philippine units while BRP Teresa Magbanua issued continuous radio challenges, Tarriela said.

During the operation, China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel 2503 arrived in the area and repeatedly issued radio challenges to BRP Teresa Magbanua.

The Philippine vessel then shadowed CCG-2503 at about 1,000 yards while maintaining its position near the Chinese research vessel.

Tarriela said the involvement of a CCG vessel was significant because the JIA HAI KE 7 is privately owned.

He also raised questions about what data the research vessel may have collected in the area, including near undersea cable corridors in the Luzon Strait.

Meanwhile, Islander 251 took off from Basco Airport to conduct a maritime domain awareness flight over the area. The aircraft circled the vicinity at low altitude in support of BRP Teresa Magbanua.

As of 11 a.m., BRP Teresa Magbanua remained about 37 nautical miles northwest of Itbayat and was circling the JIA HAI KE 7 at about 500 yards.

“This operation is in accordance with the guidance of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to protect the country's maritime domain and not to tolerate any unauthorized foreign research within Philippine waters,” Tarriela said. — VBL, GMA News

Follow facebook.com/gmanewsonline for real-time news and developments in the Philippines and around the world.