The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) successfully disrupted the unauthorized marine scientific research (MSR) of the Chinese research vessel JIA HAI KE 7 and compelled it to leave the position it had held off Itbayat, Batanes, for four days.
At about 11:42 AM today, 01 October 2026, JIA HAI KE 7 departed its loitering position about 37 nautical miles northwest of Itbayat at a speed of 4.6 knots. This is the first time the vessel has moved from the area since the PCG discovered its presence on Monday, 28 September. Its departure followed sustained pressure from BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701) and PCG Islander 251, which were deployed this morning to challenge the vessel, disrupt its illegal MSR, and drive it away from Philippine waters.
BRP Teresa Magbanua has since been shadowing JIA HAI KE 7 and continuing its maneuvers to drive the research vessel out of the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). China Coast Guard vessel CCG-2503 has repeatedly tried to shield the research vessel and block the PCG ship.
Despite the CCG vessel’s blocking maneuvers, BRP Teresa Magbanua made its closest approach yet, coming within 50 yards of JIA HAI KE 7. At that time the research vessel was about 40 nautical miles west-northwest of Amianan Island, Batanes.
The continued escort of JIA HAI KE 7 by a China Coast Guard vessel again raises serious questions. Why would a government law enforcement ship go to such lengths to protect a supposedly privately owned research vessel that has been conducting illegal MSR over the undersea cable corridors of the Luzon Strait?
Under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, no foreign vessel may conduct marine scientific research in the Philippine EEZ without the express consent of the Philippine government. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has confirmed that no such consent was given to JIA HAI KE 7.
BRP Teresa Magbanua will continue to shadow and drive away JIA HAI KE 7 until it exits the Philippine EEZ.
This operation is in accordance with the guidance of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to protect the country’s maritime domain and not to tolerate any unauthorized foreign research within Philippine waters.
