By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
After initially expressing concerns about the unwelcome presence of a Chinese vessel in the country’s northern maritime corridor, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) hatched a plan to uphold the law and enforce Philippine sovereignty.
This action took place on Thursday, as BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701) and the PCG Islander aircraft (tail number 251) were deployed to disrupt the activities of research vessel Jia Hai Ke 7 and drive it away from the country’s northernmost aquatic domain.
BRP Teresa Magbanua then launched a rigid-hull inflatable boat (RHIB) that circled Jia Hai Ke 7 as the mothership issued continuous radio challenges—but was met with radio silence and evasive maneuvers from the research vessel.
The arrival of China Coast Guard vessel CCG-2503 escalated the situation, but did not startle the PCG personnel who were determined to drive away Jia Hai Ke 7.
PCG Spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela noted that based on open-source documents, Jia Hai Ke 7 is a privately owned vessel, and as such remains exempt from sovereign immunity.
“Kung hindi talaga concerned ang China dito sa Chinese research vessel na ito, why would they even send a China Coast Guard vessel, right? So, it goes to show na this Chinese research vessel is not doing things on their own privately. This must be sanctioned by the Chinese government.”
RAdm. Tarriela questioned the CCG vessel’s attempt to shield a private research vessel, raising questions about who Jia Hai Ke 7 is working for and how significant the data collected by the vessel over the country’s undersea cable corridors in the Luzon Strait in the past four days.
The 2,000-ton, 70-meter vessel has remained stationary since being spotted 38 nautical miles northwest of Itbayat, Batanes—a clear indication that the ship is conducting marine scientific research.
After a standoff that lasted a few hours, Jia Hai Ke 7 eventually left the area, with BRP Teresa Magbanua tailing the vessel until it left the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone.
RAdm. Tarriela concluded his statement with calls for the Chinese embassy to explain other related acts, “Para sa akin, dapat mahabol natin sa China what was the real objective of this Chinese research vessel na pumunta dito sa Batanes. The other day, they were even claiming they have jurisdiction over these waters. These are the things that the Chinese embassy has to explain.” (with report from Patrick de Jesus | PTV News)
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