The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), using Canada’s Dark Vessel Detection (DVD) Program, is monitoring the Chinese research vessel Song Hang as it navigates archipelagic waters. As of 12:00 PM today, the vessel was tracked at a distance of 35.5 nautical miles from Mapun Island.
The PCG vessel, BRP Malapascua, detected the Song Hang around midnight last night at an approximate distance of 34.6 nautical miles off Mapun Island. The PCG vessel conducted a radio challenge to inquire about the vessel’s intentions and the nationality of its crew. The Chinese crew responded, stating their plan to transit through the Sibutu Passage en route to the Indian Ocean, and confirmed that the vessel carries 25 Chinese nationals onboard as its crew complement.
At 7:00 AM today, the BRP Malapascua issued another radio challenge to verify the vessel’s intentions once again. The crew of the Song Hang reiterated their destination as the Indian Ocean, adding that their purpose is to conduct fishing activities there.
The PCG remains vigilant in safeguarding the nation’s maritime domain and will continue to monitor the movements of the Song Hang as it exits the Sibutu Passage.
