Over 40 Chinese vessels swarming around Kalayaan Island Group, PCG says

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Thursday said over 40 Chinese vessels have been monitored swarming around the Kalayaan Island Group in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

In a statement, the PCG said its Islander 4177 aircraft spotted the Chinese oceanographic research vessel Xiang Yang Hong 33 about 7.34 nautical miles west of Rozul Reef on Wednesday.

The PCG said the Chinese vessel was allegedly conducting unauthorized marine scientific research operations.

According to the PCG, the vessel was seen deploying a service boat toward the reef, while one Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel CCGV BN 5309 was loitering nearby.

Authorities also monitored 13 Chinese maritime militia vessels anchored around the area.

Xiang Yang Hong 33 departed China on April 15 and had since conducted survey activities in several features within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ), the PCG said.

The Chinese vessel was reportedly monitored at Ayungin Shoal from April 20 to 22, at Escoda Shoal from April 22 to 28, near Arellano Reef and Bulig Shoal from April 28 to May 1, inside Panganiban Reef from May 1 to 3, and at Quirino Atoll and Rozul Reef from May 3 to 6.

The PCG added that the Chinese vessel had been tracked via Automatic Identification System signals moving from Jacinto Reef to Diego Silang Reef since May 6.

During the same flight, the PCG aircraft also monitored 28 more Chinese maritime militia vessels anchored near Cay 1 and Cay 2 while approaching Pag-asa Island.

CCG 5101 was also observed about two nautical miles west of the island.

Image from PCG

'No consent'

The PCG said the reported activities violated the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which requires foreign states to secure the consent of a coastal state before conducting marine scientific research within its EEZ.

“The Philippines has not granted such consent to the PRC for any MSR activities in these waters,” the PCG said.

PCG commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan said the agency would continue conducting lawful maritime domain awareness operations in accordance with international and domestic laws.

“We will continue to conduct lawful MDA operations and will continue to challenge any illegal activities that undermine our sovereignty and sovereign rights,” Gavan said.

GMA News Online has sought comment from the Chinese Embassy in Manila but it has yet to respond as of posting time.

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 the 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. —VAL, GMA News