MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Thursday said it was able to force a Chinese research vessel to leave an area it had occupied for four days off Batanes and within the Philippine exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
The Jia Hai Ke 7 relocated from a spot 69 kilometers northwest of Itbayat, Batanes, at 11:42 a.m., said the PCG, which first sighted the craft within the EEZ on Sept. 28.
Thanks to “sustained pressure” applied by the PCG ship BRP Teresa Magbanua and an Islander aircraft, “the mission against the Chinese research vessel Jia Hai KE 7 was successful,” it said.
READ: Batanes: Another of China’s Territorial Narratives
It was the second instance this week where the PCG said it had managed to drive out unauthorized Chinese presence from the EEZ. The first was on Monday when a Chinese maritime militia vessel and 24 sampans were ordered to leave the waters near Kota Island, one of the islands composing Palawan’s Kalayaan municipality.
Baseless claim
Thursday’s encounter also happened about three months after Chinese scholars and commentators made a claim that Batanes was part of China. The claim was roundly dismissed by Philippine officials and scholars as baseless.
Shortly before 8 a.m., the Magbanua began issuing radio challenges to the Jia Hai Ke 7. A PCG team on a rubber boat was then deployed to circle the Chinese vessel.
READ: Teodoro on Chinese scholars’ Batanes claim: It’s a joke
The PCG ship continued to shadow the Jia Hai Ke until the latter exited the Philippine EEZ, the Coast Guard said.
But before the research vessel left, a China Coast Guard vessel—CCG-2503—arrived, moved toward the Magbanua, and issued its own challenges.
The Magbanua then shadowed CCG-2503 as well from about 914 meters while staying near the research vessel.
Plan to board called off
In an interview with reporters, Rear Adm. Jay Tarriela, the PCG spokesperson on the West Philippine Sea, said the PCG initially intended to board the research vessel after learning it was privately owned and did not enjoy sovereign immunity.
In its report on the incident, the PCG asked why a Chinese law enforcement vessel entered the picture, saying it raised questions over Jia Hai Ke 7’s purpose and principal.
The PCG raised the possibility that the research vessel was collecting data on undersea cable corridors in the Luzon Strait.
“A vessel exercising innocent passage or freedom of navigation would proceed on its course. JIA HAI KE 7 has instead held its position in the same waters for four days, which is a clear indication that it is conducting MSR (marine scientific research),” the PCG said.
Tarriela added: ‘’What was (its) real objective in going to Batanes? That is something the Chinese Embassy has to explain.’’
Embassy cries interference
The Chinese Embassy rejected the PCG’s account and accused the latter of harassing the Chinese vessel.
Deputy spokesperson Guo Wei said Jia Hai Ke 7 was conducting “normal operations” in waters that Beijing considers under its jurisdiction, and that its activities were consistent with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Guo accused the PCG of infringing on Beijing’s sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the area and of endangering Chinese vessels and personnel.
He also called on the Philippines to restrain its military and law enforcement agencies, and to stop interfering in China’s scientific research activities. /cb
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