FOR SUBMARINE DEPLOYMENT?

PCG: Chinese ship near Ilocos Norte possibly doing deep sea mapping

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Tuesday the Chinese research vessel recently seen near Ilocos Norte was “worrisome” because the ship has deep sea mapping capabilities for submarine deployment.

PCG spokesperson for West Philippine Sea (WPS) Commodore Jay Tarriela said Tan Suo 3 was conducting an illegal marine scientific research within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

“Nakakabahala (It's worrisome) in a way na it's because these Chinese research vessels have the capability for deep sea mapping. And there is a possibility that they are also doing this kind of deep sea mapping in support of their submarine navigation,” he said at a press conference.

“Ang nakakabahala lang (The only thing that is worrisome) is because it has the capability for deep sea mapping, which can be used for submarine deployment as well,” he added.

For Tarriela, the Chinese ship’s illegal activity within the Philippine EEZ was a security concern.

“The submarine deployment is also supported by deep sea map location ng seabed natin (of our seabed). So in the security part, I think that's the only concern for the marine scientific research, the illegal marine scientific research that they are conducting,” he said.

GMA News Online has reached out to the Chinese Embassy in Manila for its comment but it has yet to respond as of posting time.

On Monday, the PCG said Tan Suo 3 was first detected entering the EEZ on May 1 around 92 nautical miles off the coast of Burgos, Ilocos Norte.

PCG’s BRP Teresa Magbanua and an aircraft were deployed to monitor, challenge, and escort the Chinese ship out of the Philippine EEZ.

The PCG monitored a manned deep-sea submersible vessel heading to Tan Suo 3.

“During the operation, the PCG spotted a manned deep-sea submersible vessel fast approaching the Chinese Research Vessel, which was later retrieved by its crew,” Tarriela earlier said.

“This submersible, known as the SHENHAI YONGSHI or Deep-Sea Warrior, is engineered for deep-sea exploration and scientific research, with the capability to dive to depths of 4,500 meters,” he added.

Aside from this, the PCG also observed a rigid hull inflatable boat recovering a yellow unidentified piece of equipment, which may be associated with marine scientific research activities.

Tarriela said that as of 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Tan Suo 3 was located 250 nautical miles off the coast of Burgos outside the Philippine EEZ.

Tensions continue as Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual shipborne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei.

Parts of the South China Sea that fall within Philippine territory have been renamed by the government as West Philippine Sea to reinforce the country’s claim.

The West Philippine Sea refers to the maritime areas on the western side of the Philippine archipelago including Luzon Sea and the waters around, within and adjacent to the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had "no legal basis."

China has refused to recognize the decision. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News