National Maritime Council condemns presence of Chinese research vessels in PH waters

MANILA, May 21 ------ The National Maritime Council condemned the presence of Chinese maritime research vessels spotted in various areas within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.

According to monitoring of the National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea, at least four Chinese vessels were seen in Philippine waters. These include the Shi Yan 1 and Jia Geng seen near Itbayat in Batanes, the Zhuhaiyun seen 171 nautical miles from Bolinao, Pangasinan, and the Xiangyanghong 33 seen 140 nautical miles from Rizal, Palawan. "Ang mga naturang aktibidad ay ilegal at nilalabag ang mga probisyon ng UNCLOS particularly sa requirement na kinakailangan dapat may pahintulot ang isang foreign state o organisasyon mula sa nakakasakop na coastal state tulad ng Pilipinas bago magsagawa ng anumang scientific research o activities sa ating karagatan," said Usec. Alexander Lopez, spokesperson of the National Maritime Council.

The Xiangyanghong 33 was reported to be conducting scientific research near the Pag-asa Cays 2 and 3, which is within the territorial sea of Pag-asa Island. "Ang Xiangyanghong, mayroon siyang capacity na mag-conduct ng mga deep scientific research activities. Ito ay advanced oceanographic survey vessel na may kakayahang magsagawa ng comprehensive maritime ecological surveys, bathymetric mapping, hydrographic data collection at deep sea exploration," Lopez told state TV. "In short, ito ay may kakayahang gumawa ng intelligence gathering activities sa ating karagatan kaya ito ay minu-monitor natin at hindi natin pinapahintulutan especially kung wala silang authority or clearance sa ating pamahalaan," he added.

Lopez said this is concerning but not surprising as Chinese vessels are often seen within Philippine waters. He said the National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea held a Maritime Domain Awareness Inter-Agency Operations to challenge the presence of the Chinese Vessels.

All Chinese vessels were told to exit the Philippine EEZ. "Wala naman tayong nakikitang increase ng mga vessels sa paligid ng Pag-asa. But, nonetheless, ito ay nakita natin noong nakaraang araw na dumami nga iyong mga presensya or presence ng Chinese Maritime Research vessels dito sa ating karagatan, especially doon sa northern part and the western part," Lopez said. "Well, the most that we can do actually is monitor them and document their illegal activities and our ATF-West and ATF-North Task Force on the West Philippine Sea to come up with a report at ito iyong mga report na gagawing basehan ng ating Department of Foreign Affairs to file the necessary or the appropriate diplomatic protest," he added.

Lopez clarified that they are not banning marine scientific research of foreign states in our maritime zones as long as it is permitted by the Philippine government. "Ang gagawin lang natin, again, para ma-assert natin ang ating presence or claim sa lugar ay, again, we encourage our fisherfolk na damhin nila ang kanilang presensiya sa mga lugar especially sa paligid ng Sandy Cay," he said. "While it is a challenge on their part, dahil alam naman natin na nandoon iyong mga presensiya ng China Coast Guard and maritime militia vessels but nonetheless, we are asking or we are requesting our fisherfolk na maglagi doon at nandoon naman iyong tulong ng ating gobyerno," he ended.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com