PCG: Chinese research ship now in Tawi-Tawi, no sign conducting research

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Thursday said the Chinese research ship is now in Tawi-Tawi and has not shown signs it is conducting marine scientific research.

PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Commodore Jay Tarriella said BRP Malapascua informed Song Hang that it is not authorized to conduct marine scientific research (MSR) in the area.

Song Hang responded that it is proceeding  to the Indian Ocean to catch fish, according to Tarriela.

“What is quite unusual sa response ng isang Chinese research vessel, ang sabi nila is that they're going to Indian Ocean to catch fish,” Tarriella said in a virtual press conference.

(What is quite unusual about the response of a Chinese research vessel, they said that they're going to the Indian Ocean to catch fish.)

Tarriela noted that Song Hang is intended for conducting MSR which falls under the ministry of fisheries of the People's Republic of China.

However, he said the PCG has not monitored any actions of Song Hang indicating that it was conducting MSR.

“Based on our monitoring, wala naman tayong namataan na nagbaba sila ng gamit whatsoever that we can say na nagka-conduct sila ng MSR. So regarding their presence here, wala tayong nakitang action nila na masasabing their purpose is to conduct MSR,” he said.

(Based on our monitoring, we have not seen them drop any equipment whatsoever that we can say they conducted MSR. So regarding their presence here, we have not seen any action indicating their purpose is to conduct MSR.)

The PCG on Wednesday reported that Song Hang, which has 25 Chinese crew members, was seen 58 nautical miles east of Aborlan in Palawan.

As of 12 noon on Thursday, Tarriela said Song Hang was seen 35.5 nautical miles from Mapun Island in Tawi-Tawi.

“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,” Tarriela said. —RF, GMA Integrated News