Philippines Accuses 4 Chinese Vessels Of Illegal Marine Research In Disputed Waters

The Philippine Coast Guard said four Chinese vessels were carrying out marine scientific research in waters claimed by the Philippines without permission and warned that it would send aircraft and ships to drive them away.

Coast Guard spokesman Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela said authorities found that the vessels were conducting research without legal authority or prior approval from the Philippine government.

He stated that this goes against the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which requires consent for such activities.

Tarriela added that the Philippines is ready to deploy aircraft and coast guard vessels to push the ships out of the area.

According to the Coast Guard, two of the Chinese vessels were seen west and northeast of Itbayat in Batanes.

Another vessel was located northwest of Rizal in Palawan, near the disputed Jackson Atoll, while the fourth was spotted close to Scarborough Shoal.

Tarriela said one of the ships is a modern oceanographic survey vessel equipped for deep-sea research, seabed mapping, geophysical work, and submersible operations.

He also said another vessel is an advanced drone mothership designed to operate more than 50 unmanned systems at the same time, including aerial, surface, and underwater vehicles, allowing wide-scale ocean surveys.

Philippine Coast Guard Commandant Ronnie Gil Gavan said the country will not allow any marine scientific research in its waters without government approval.

China responded by saying its vessels were carrying out normal research and were operating in waters under Chinese jurisdiction.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said the activities follow both Chinese law and international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

It also called on the Philippines to stop what it described as dangerous actions and to keep distance from Chinese vessels.

The South China Sea remains a disputed region with overlapping claims. It is an important route for global shipping and is believed to hold large reserves of natural resources.

The Philippines has been strengthening its military ties with the United States in recent years to support its position in the area.

Encounters between Chinese and Philippine vessels have become more frequent as both sides continue to assert their claims.

Reference: Bloomberg