PCG spots 3 Chinese research vessels in eastern PH economic zone

The Philippine Coast Guard locates Chinese research vessels Xiang Yang Hong 3, Jia Geng, and Xiang Yang Hong 10 at 210 nautical miles or 389 kilometers east of Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (Photo from Jay Tarriela/X)

MANILA, Philippines — Three Chinese research vessels were spotted within the eastern portion of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ), according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in a news conference Saturday.

Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, identified the ships as Xiang Yang Hong 3, Jia Geng, and Xiang Yang Hong 10.

As of Saturday, Nov. 30, the vessels were located 210 nautical miles (NM) – or, roughly 389 kilometers (kms) – east of Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte, outside the EEZ, according to Tarriela.

At the news conference, he said, “We are still monitoring itong paggalaw nitong Chinese research vessels na ito because, at some point, it entered our exclusive economic zone noong mga nakaraang araw.”

(We are still monitoring the movement of these Chinese research vessels because, at some point, it entered our exclusive economic zone in the past days.)

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Tarriela expounded that the Jia Geng was spotted 200 NM (370 kms) east of Davao Oriental at 8:59 a.m. on November 14, which was within the exclusive economic zone limit.

Then, according to Tarriela’s post, the Xiang Yang Hong 3 was 257 NM (476 kms) northeast of Santa Ana, Cagayan at 8:20 p.m. on November 17.

The PCG spokesperson added that the Xiang Yang Hong 10 was spotted 200 NM (370 kms) east of Siargao Island from 8:42 a.m. on November 20 to 6:36 a.m. on November 29.

Also on November 29, at 8:39 p.m., the Xiang Yang Hong 3 was again located at 211 NM (391 kms) east of Siargao Island as well.

The Xiang Yang Hong 3 was previously reported seen near the Philippine Rise with another research ship, the Zhang Jian, last November 4.

READ: Chinese ships seen again at Philippine Rise

According to Tarriela, the Chinese ships were located through their automatic identification systems (AIS).

He added that even if ships turned off their AIS, the PCG could locate them by accessing the Dark Vessel Detection Program from the government of Canada.

READ: PH allowed to use Canadian satellites vs ‘dark’ ships

When asked if the PCG ascertained the ships’ objectives, Tarriela said, “We can only speculate, as long as hindi natin alam ano talaga ang intention ng People’s Republic of China, why are they conducting these research vessels nang malapit sa exclusive economic zone natin sa eastern seaboard.”

“There must be a compelling reason for the Chinese government to deploy three research vessels all at the same time in one particular area,” he added.

The Chinese Embassy in the Philippines has yet to respond to INQUIRER.net’s request for comment about the matter.

The PCG spokesperson said if the ships were conducting marine scientific research, it would have had the approval of the Philippine government, particularly the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Tarriela added that they will be forwarding the matter to the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea.

READ: Chinese vessels seen in Pagasa Island now down to 30, says PCG exec

When asked about the PCG’s resources on the eastern seaboard, “As we have always been mentioning, the Philippine Coast Guard, we have [a] very limited number of assets, but our priority right now is the West Philippine Sea.

“At the eastern seaboard, there is no dispute, so there is no reason for us to deploy our vessels there,” he further said, adding that the Philippine ships in the area “can already carry out” to prevent unauthorized marine scientific research.