By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
Despite persistent radio challenges issued by the People’s Liberation Army Navy and the Chinese Air Force, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reaffirmed its stance in defending Philippine rights to conduct patrols on Scarborough Shoal in West Philippine Sea (WPS).
In a maritime domain awareness (MDA) flight on Thursday, the Coast Guardians spotted a Chinese research support vessel loitering in the Bajo de Masinloc lagoon.
First monitored on October 3, the ship has changed several times since then. The supposed support vessel was monitored yesterday towing a boat (sampan) and carrying other equipment onboard that may have been used in conducting marine scientific research.
PCG Spokesperson for WPS RAdm. Jay Tarriela said in a statement, “We’re trying to track what is the capability of this watercraft, so we would like to believe that this is just one of those support vessels na ginagamit ng Chinese government.”
Earlier, the PCG asserted that any Chinese research vessel operation in the WPS is illegal, citing that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed these activities were unsanctioned by the Philippine government.
An aircraft from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources also accompanied the Philippine contingent during the MDA flight, which issued radio challenges to Chinese vessels sailing within the vicinity of the Scarborough Shoal.
Three of these unwanted ships were from the Chinese Coast Guard, while five others were from the Chinese Maritime Militia. Meanwhile, a PLA Navy warship was also spotted 15 nautical miles from Zambales. (with report from Patrick de Jesus | PTV News)
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