China deploys hovercraft during ‘illegal’ drills in West Philippine Sea

/ 05:45 PM June 07, 2024

China deploys hovercraft during illegal drills in West Philippine Sea

One of the Chinese Navy hovercraft during its military drills in the vicinity waters off Escoda (Sabina) Shoal. SCREENGRAB FROM PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD’S VIDEO CLIP

MANILA, Philippines — The unauthorized military amphibious exercise of the Chinese Navy in the vicinity waters of Escoda (Sabina) Shoal saw the presence of two hovercraft, which were deployed in the West Philippine Sea for the first time, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Friday.

Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said the unauthorized military drills of the People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) in Escoda (Sabina) Shoal was held in concurrence with the scientific research conducted by the Philippine government on June 4.

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“This is the first time that we have encountered  PLA Navy vessel launching a hovercraft, as many as two hovercraft, actually,” Tarriela said in a press conference.

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Tarriela noted that the PLAN drills in Escoda Shoal, which falls 75 nautical miles from the coast of Palawan or well within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), is illegal.

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“We like to highlight the fact that such military exercise of the PLA Navy is a violation of international law because that is inside our exclusive economic zone,” Tarriela said.

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In an unusual move, a PLAN warship with bow number 987 broadcasted its intention to conduct amphibious drills off the shoal.

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Footage provided by the PCG showed that the PLAN personnel aboard PLAN warship with bow number 987 broadcasted through radio communication specific coordinates where they conducted their training.

PLAN warship 987 deployed its hovercraft with bow numbers 3330 and 3349 at 10:58 a.m. and 1:56 p.m., respectively.

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A hovercraft is an amphibious craft capable of traveling over water, land and other surfaces through a cushion of air provided by a downward blast.

While capable of doing so, Tarriela said the hovercraft did not land on any elevated maritime features in the West Philippine Sea.

Tarriela also noted that the drills were conducted about 15-20 nautical miles away from the Filipino survey team conducting marine research.

READ: Chinese warships presence in West Philippine Sea doubles

However, earlier in the morning, China Coast Guard (CCG) and PLAN assets were found harassing the Philippine vessels conducting the mission.

At 8:12 a.m., CCG’s rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) with bow number 3303 conducted a close-quarter maneuvers against PCG escorts and the survey team divers. The PCG challenged them as they headed closer.

“This is Philippine Coast Guard, we are conducting marine scientific research activity,” a Filipino personnel could be heard saying in another video clip shared by the PCG.

Then at about 10:58 a.m., PCG’s RHIB blocked CCG’s RHIB with bow number 3303 and managed to drive the latter away from the survey team.

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In a separate video clip, CCG personnel aboard the RHIB could be heard telling the PCG to go away, but PCG personnel responded that they were within the Philippines’ EEZ. The Chinese coast guard’s RHIB then drove away.

Their presence is in line with Beijing’s assertion of sovereignty in almost the entire South China Sea, including most of the West Philippine Sea, even if such a claim has been effectively invalidated by a July 2016 international tribunal ruling that stemmed from a case filed by Manila in 2013.

For comprehensive coverage, in-depth analysis, visit our special page for West Philippine Sea updates. Stay informed with articles, videos, and expert opinions.

TAGS: China, military, West Philippine Sea

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