The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has reported the alleged unauthorized presence of a Chinese-flagged research vessel named "Shen Kuo," in the waters near the eastern regions of the Philippines.
TIMELINE
April 13: Chinese research vessel Shen Kuo departed from Shenzhen Port.
April 22: Shen Kuo passed through Itbayat and Basco, Batanes. The Philippine Navy reported a surge of 124 Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) during the Balikatan exercises.
April 25: The vessel moved southward within 11 nautical miles off the coast of Mapanas, Northern Samar, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), then traveled north again where it was sighted 60.9 nautical miles east of Rapu-Rapu Island in Albay and monitored by the AFP.
April 27: Tactical Operations Wing Southern Luzon (TOWSOL) observed Shen Kuo stationary in the area northeast of Viga, Catanduanes with no personnel visible on the main deck.
April 28: AFP released a statement on the unauthorized presence of Shen Kuo in Philippine waters.
April 29: PCG reported that Shen Kuo has moved back to the waters near Mapanas, Northern Samar.
The AFP said that despite attempts to establish communication through regular radio channels, the vessel remained unresponsive.
CONTINUOUS MONITORING
This incident coincides with heightened tensions in the West Philippine Sea, as evidenced by recent sightings of Chinese vessels shadowing naval vessels from the Philippines, the United States, and France during joint military exercises.
The AFP announced on their Facebook page that it will continue monitoring the situation.
“The AFP remains vigilant, monitoring any unauthorized research vessel in our maritime domain. We have already tasked nearby vessels for enhanced surveillance and reporting,” it read.
(with reports from Jon Viktor D. Cabuanes and Joviland Rita, GMA Integrated News)
