Drone, China Coast Guard challenge PCG ship at Hasa Hasa Shoal

MANILA, June 19 ------ The Philippine Coast Guard spotted a drone, believed to be of the China Coast Guard, conducting surveillance in the West Philippine Sea.

The sighting of the drone was followed by radio challenges from China Coast Guard ships 52.8 nautical miles from Secam Island, which is part of Palawan province. China Coast Guard ships 5101 and 5103 sent several radio challenges to the Philippine Coast Guard's BRP Cape Engaño (MRRV 4411).

The Chinese ships warned BRP Cape Engaño that it had entered "an area under the jurisdiction of the People’s Republic of China" and ordered the PCG to leave the area. The Philippine Coast Guard countered it was conducting a lawful maritime patrol within the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone. "We are proceeding according to our planned route. Request to stay clear from our passage," BRP Cape Engaño told the Chinese ships.

The radio challenge happened at Hasa Hasa Shoal, also called Half Moon Shoal, in the West Philippine Sea. The PCG and BFAR have installed payao, or fish aggregating devices, in Hasa Hasa Shoal and Kanduli Shoal to help boost fish catch of Filipino fisherfolk in the area.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com