MANILA, Philippines — A Chinese survey vessel has been operating in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) for 25 days, particularly in Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Adm. Jay Tarriela said on Friday.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Tarriela said the Haiyang Dizhi Shihao has been conducting a “marine scientific research,” adding that “the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) confirms no permit was ever issued” for this enterprise.
“It is illegal,” he said.
The 76-meter vessel had been in the country’s EEZ since Aug. 10, including the 22-kilometer territorial sea around Panatag Shoal, Tarriela said.
He added that the timing of the vessel’s operation was deliberate, since it entered the area while the Philippines was being battered by typhoons and the southwest monsoon.
READ: WPS: New Chinese research ship spotted near Panatag after platform removal
“China moved its survey vessel in at precisely the moment our vessels were least able to intercept it,” Tarriela said.
According to him, the vessel is operated by the Guangzhou Marine Geological Survey under China’s Ministry of Natural Resources.
He said the ship is capable of drilling into the seabed and is therefore not an ordinary research vessel. In 2023, the vessel drilled a core measuring 302.07 meters below the seafloor, Tarriela said.
As of this writing, the Chinese Embassy has not responded to Tarriela’s claims.
PH-Singapore intel meet
Meanwhile, the navies of the Philippines and Singapore are strengthening cooperation on maritime intelligence as senior officers from the two countries began this week their eighth bilateral intelligence conference.
Rear Adm. Edwin Nera, chief of staff of the Philippine Navy, received Singapore Navy Lt. Col. Dominic Lew during a courtesy visit to Navy headquarters on Thursday.
The three-day conference provides an avenue for naval personnel from both countries to exchange intelligence insights, discuss shared operational concerns, and compare practices related to maritime security, according to the Philippine Navy. /cb
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