The Philippine Coast Guard deployed the 97-metre BRP Teresa Magbanua and an aircraft to confront the Chinese-flagged survey ship JIA HAI KE 7 loitering near northern Batanes, roughly 37 nautical miles northwest of Itbayat Island. PCG personnel say they forced the privately owned vessel to abandon its position after close manoeuvres and repeated radio challenges, while a China Coast Guard ship arrived and issued its own challenges. The incident raised concerns about data collection near undersea cable routes in the Luzon Strait, and Manila said it continued to monitor the ship until it left the Philippines' EEZ.
Philippine Coast Guard Deploys Largest Ship and Aircraft to Drive Away Chinese Survey Vessel Near Taiwan
A child holds national flags of China and the Philippines at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, October 20, 2016. REUTERS/Thomas Peter
MANILA, Oct 1 — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Thursday it dispatched its largest vessel, the 97-metre BRP Teresa Magbanua, and an aircraft to confront a Chinese-flagged survey ship operating off northern Batanes province near Taiwan. The PCG said the action disrupted the vessel's "unauthorised marine scientific research" and forced it to leave its loitering position.
What Happened
Coast guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela, who handles South China Sea issues, said the Chinese survey ship JIA HAI KE 7 had been positioned about 37 nautical miles northwest of Itbayat Island since Sept. 28. The PCG said the Teresa Magbanua closed to within roughly 100 yards of the survey ship and deployed a rigid-hull inflatable boat; PCG personnel circled the research vessel several times while issuing radio challenges.
According to the PCG, the research vessel repeatedly manoeuvred to evade Philippine boats. A China Coast Guard vessel later arrived and issued its own radio challenges while attempting to shield the survey ship.
Why It Matters
The PCG highlighted that JIA HAI KE 7 is privately owned, noting the arrival of a China Coast Guard ship was "significant" because it raises questions about possible links to Chinese authorities and the purpose of any data collected near undersea cable corridors off Batanes and in the Luzon Strait. The PCG said it continued to monitor the vessel to ensure it exited the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
The Chinese Embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Reporting: Nestor Corrales. Editing: David Stanway.
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