The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has detected four Chinese research vessels operating in the vicinity of Philippine waters using Canada’s Dark Vessel Detection (DVD) System. Based on the observed movements and activities of these vessels, the PCG has determined that they are conducting illegal marine scientific research without the legal authority or prior consent of the Philippine government, in clear violation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The following vessels with their advanced research capabilities were observed in the indicated positions:
• XIANGYANGHONG 33 – an advanced oceanographic survey vessel of the Xiang Yang Hong class, equipped for deep-sea research, seafloor mapping, geophysical exploration, and support of submersibles – was lying-to at Latitude 10.503101° N, Longitude 115.717853° E, approximately 140.47 nautical miles northwest off Rizal, Palawan, and within the vicinity of Quirino Atoll.
• SHI YAN 1 – a SWATH-hulled research vessel specialized in marine science and hydro-acoustics, featuring dynamic positioning, noise reduction, and advanced sensors for precise geophysical and acoustic data collection – was underway at Latitude 20.568514° N, Longitude 119.815389° E, approximately 118 nautical miles west off Itbayat, Batanes.
• JIA GENG – a modern deep-sea research vessel equipped with acoustic sensors, weather radars, and capable of deploying unmanned underwater vehicles for multidisciplinary oceanographic studies – was underway at Latitude 21.912450° N, Longitude 122.940958° E, approximately 88.36 nautical miles northeast off Itbayat, Batanes.
• ZHUHAIYUN – the world’s first intelligent drone mothership, designed to deploy and control over 50 unmanned aerial, surface, and underwater vehicles simultaneously for comprehensive three-dimensional ocean surveys, with autonomous navigation capabilities – was lying-to at Latitude 16.665000° N, Longitude 116.830000° E, approximately 102.11 nautical miles northwest off BDM (alternatively, 171.18 nautical miles west off Bolinao, Pangasinan).
The Philippine Coast Guard will immediately deploy aircraft and vessels to challenge these Chinese Research Vessels (CRVs) and drive them away from Philippine waters. The PCG continues to closely monitor their movements in accordance with Philippine laws, international maritime law, and UNCLOS.
“In furtherance of the policy directive of President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr, the Philippine Coast Guard remains steadfast in safeguarding the country’s maritime domain. We will not tolerate any illegal marine scientific research conducted without our government’s consent. We are deploying aircraft and vessels to challenge and drive away these unauthorized vessels to protect Philippine sovereignty and sovereign rights,” said PCG Commandant, Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan.
