PCG aircraft monitors Chinese research ship off Cagayan

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Sunday it sent an aircraft to monitor and challenge a Chinese research vessel that was spotted near Cagayan.

In a statement, Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, PCG Commandant ordered the deployment of a PCG aircraft to conduct a Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) patrol on Saturdayin response to the presence of the Xiang Yang Hong 05, which was tracked approximately 37 nautical miles off the coast of Sta. Ana, Cagayan.

“The PCG aircraft successfully conducted its MDA flight yesterday afternoon and physically sighted the Xiang Yang Hong 05 at a distance of 14.92 nautical miles from Babuyan Island,” the Coast Guard said.

The PCG aircraft issued a challenge to the Chinese ship which did not respond. 

“The Xiang Yang Hong 05 left Guangdong, China, on June 5, 2025, en route to the West Philippine Sea. It entered the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone on June 7, approximately 130 nautical miles from Burgos, Ilocos Norte, and subsequently left on June 9, only to re-enter the EEZ last July 31,” the Coast Guard said.

According to the PCG, the Chinese ship “conducted substantial marine scientific research for almost 22 days after departing the Philippine EEZ and before re-entering. This research occurred along a parallel track in the Pacific Ocean, close to Guam at a distance of 42 nautical miles. As of this morning, the vessel was monitored via Automatic Identification System (AIS) approximately 86 nautical miles from Calayan Island, Cagayan.”

The PCG said the Xiang Yang Hong 05 is a research vessel that was converted from a cargo ship and deployed to sensitive maritime zones to support People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) operations. 

The Coast Guard said it “remains committed to monitoring and protecting the nation's maritime jurisdiction, ensuring the safety and security of its waters against foreign vessels engaged in unauthorized and illegal maritime activities.” — RF, GMA Integrated News