3 Chinese ships spotted east of Siargao

MANILA, Philippines — Three Chinese research survey vessels were spotted anew on the eastern seaboard of the Philippines, earlier entering the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) near Davao Oriental and Siargao Island, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

Chinese ships Xiang Yang Hong 3, Jia Geng and Xiang Yang Hong 10 were monitored yesterday at around 7:40 a.m., 211 nautical miles (nm) east of Siargao Island in Surigao del Norte, National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea spokesman Commodore Jay Tarriela said.

The ships entered the country’s EEZ on Nov. 20 near Siargao Island and Davao Oriental on Nov. 14.

On Nov. 17, the ships were spotted 257 nm near Santa Ana, Cagayan.

Tarriela said the vessels travel together and could be documenting current, tide and seabed data.

“There must be a compelling reason for the Chinese government to deploy three Chinese research vessels all at the same time at one particular area,” Tarriela told the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City.

As the vessels entered the country’s territorial waters twice in violation of maritime laws, Tarriela said they will submit a report to the Department of Foreign Affairs for proper action, noting that China should have sought clearance from the Philippine government.

In early November, the Philippine Navy spotted two Chinese survey ships, including Xiang Yang Hong 3, in the Philippine Rise, which is part of the country’s 200-nm EEZ.

The reported observations followed President Marcos’ signing into law on Nov. 8 the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, irking China, which said the new laws “seriously infringe on China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea.”

Meanwhile, the number of Chinese maritime militia vessels that have swarmed and stayed in Subi Reef near Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea decreased from around 90 to 30, based on the PCG’s latest automatic identification system monitoring.

Bad weather conditions may have compelled the vessels to seek shelter near Pag-asa Island, Tarriela noted.

“We are religiously challenging them and informing them it is part of the territorial sea of the Philippines, that they do not have jurisdiction over these waters and they have to respect our sovereignty,” he said.

The PCG has over 30,000 personnel and 13 vessels, including three 44-meter ships, to assist the Philippine Navy in defending the country’s territorial integrity. — Ghio Ong