PCG escorts Chinese research vessel out of Philippine waters

MANILA, Philippines, May 7 ------ A Chinese research vessel believed to be engaged in deep sea mapping to support submarine operations was escorted out of the waters of Ilocos Norte on Monday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported. 

Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesman on West Philippine Sea issues, said the Tan Suo 3 was first detected illegally conducting marine scientific research about 92 nautical miles off Burgos, Ilocos Norte on May 1. “It’s worrisome because these Chinese research vessels have the capability for deep sea mapping. There is a possibility that they are doing this to support submarine navigation,” Tarriela said at a press briefing. He stressed that such activities pose a serious threat to security, noting that deep sea mapping of the seabed can be used to facilitate the deployment of submarines.  

On Monday, the PCG said it deployed the BRP Teresa Magbanua and an aircraft to monitor and escort Tan Suo 3 out of the country’s exclusive economic zone. During the operation, the PCG observed a manned submersible vessel, Shenhai Yongshi or Deep-Sea Warrior, approaching the Chinese ship, which retrieved it from the water. The submersible, designed for deep-sea exploration and scientific research, is capable of diving to a depth of 4,500 meters. The PCG also reported the recovery of an unidentified yellow piece of equipment, which could be part of instruments used by the Chinese in their research operations. 

As of 10 am yesterday, the Tan Suo 3 was located about 250 nautical miles off Burgos, outside the Philippine EEZ. Meanwhile, as the conclusion of this year’s Balikatan exercises nears, Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, called Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. on Monday to assure him of the Trump administration’s commitment to stronger defense alliance “rooted in shared interest and democratic values.” 

Balikatan exercises end on May 9. 

Joint Staff spokesman Navy Capt. Jereal Dorsey said Caine and Brawner, during the call, “discussed the importance of the US-Philippines relationship, opportunities to increase bilateral and multilateral engagements and commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region.” “The US-Philippines’ bilateral security partnership is key to managing emerging threats across the Indo-Pacific region,” Dorsey said in a readout released yesterday. 

Among the last events of the Balikatan was a search and rescue drill off Zambales. The Philippine Air Force’s 505th Search and Rescue Group (SRG) teamed up with its US counterpart during the exercise held in combat conditions. Lt. Col. John Paul Salgado, Combined Joint Information Bureau of Exercise Balikatan 40-2025, said Filipino and US troops utilized their respective air assets and executed realistic search and rescue missions. Utilizing Bell 205A and Super Huey helicopters, Salgado said PAF personnel performed helocast insertions and hoist extractions, with aerial security. 

During the search and rescue events, a US C-130J located a “survivor “and deployed a survival kit, enabling a seamless joint response by both Philippine and US forces. Salgado said a US Marine Corps V-22 Osprey conducted a parallel search and rescue operation, highlighting interoperability and under post-recovery, while PAF’s S7 aeromedical team provided simulated in-flight treatment before transferring the patient to ground medical personnel at Clark Air Base. “These complex drills sharpened both nations’ readiness for life-saving missions in contested environments and the vital role of the 505th SRG in national and allied operations,” he said. 

At  Camp Aguinaldo from April 29 to May 1, Philippine, US, and Japanese military forces, along with civilian leaders, gathered for the Balikatan 25 Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Tabletop Exercise. The three-day exercise simulated a powerful typhoon striking northern Philippines, requiring participants to synchronize logistics, coordinate emergency responses and overcome complex multinational challenges. 

President Marcos, meanwhile, has committed to further modernize the PCG, citing its crucial role in protecting the West Philippine Sea. “In a time of global instability and rising maritime tensions, we look to you, together with the Philippine Navy and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, to stand the ground in stormy seas and never waver in what is right,” the President said in his speech at the oath-taking ceremony for 29 newly promoted PCG officers at Malacañang yesterday. 

Source: philstar.com