Nation

2 Chinese vessels spotted near Aurora

Pia Lee-Brago - The Philippine Star

October 30, 2024 | 12:00am

This handout photo taken on Feb. 22, 2024 and received on Feb. 25, 2024 from the Philippine Coast Guard shows China Coast Guard personnel onboard a rigid-hulled inflatable boat (R) as they shadow a Philippine fishing boat (L) during the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) mission to bring supplies to fishermen near the China-controlled Scarborough Shoal in the disputed South China Sea. The Philippines on February 25 accused the Chinese coast guard of attempting to block the Filipino government vessel BRP Datu Sanday delivering supplies to fishermen, the second such alleged incident near a disputed reef in two weeks.

Photo by Handout / Philippine Coast Guard / AFP

MANILA, Philippines — Two Chinese fishing boats have reportedly been spotted near Aurora province, according to the Philippine Navy.

Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, spokesman for the Navy on the West Philippine Sea, said they received reports about the presence of Chinese fishing boats on Monday night.

Trinidad said the Navy has monitored the boats as well as the maritime traffic within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

He said the Navy is coordinating with concerned government agencies on how to address the situation.

“I have to get the exact latitude and longitude based on the report given to us last night. We have monitored their presence in the east coast of the country,” Trinidad said.

He said the presence of the boats was not alarming as vessels from other countries were also spotted within the Philippines’ EEZ.

Trinidad said increased maritime traffic has been observed within the EEZ after the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine.

Maritime traffic usually decreases during typhoon or bad weather, he said.

In a post on X yesterday, former US Air Force official and maritime security expert Ray Powell said at least two Chinese vessels, Lu Rong Yu 51794 and Lu Yan Yuan Yu 017, were operating off the coast of Aurora.

Australia donates VHF radios

Meanwhile, Australia has donated very high frequency or VHF radios to strengthen the strategic capabilities of the Philippine Coast Guard and improve communication between PCG stations and substations in Palawan.

The Australian embassy said the donation was part of Australia’s P328-million civil maritime cooperation with the Philippines, which includes vessel remediation, aerial drones, postgraduate scholarships, operational training and courses on the law of the sea.

The equipment will help the PCG Palawan station monitor maritime incidents, respond to emergencies and coordinate maritime operations.

The donation was received by PCG chief Admiral Ronnie Gavan and Commodore Dennis Rem Labay, chief of the PCG Palawan station, during a turnover ceremony in Manila.

The Australian government was represented by Foreign Affairs and Trade Secretary Jan Adams and Ambassador Hae Kyong Yu during the ceremony.

Yu said officials from her country have met with personnel of the PCG Palawan to discuss maritime issues prevailing in the area.