Manila: The Philippines deployed a coastal guard ship and an airplane to challenge and escort a Chinese research ship which, according to him, put illegal marine scientific research activities in the exclusive economic area of the country.
The Chinese Research Ship (CRV) Tan Suo 3 was detected entering the country's ZEE on May 1, at 92 naval miles off the Coast of the Philippines, in northern Ilocs, the CPP said in a statement on Monday.
“Their irregular movements have been deemed incompatible with the freedom of navigation and indicative of marine scientific research activities, which violate the sovereign rights of the Philippines,” said the CEO.
He said he launched a maritime operation to apply the law to contest the presence of the Chinese ship and prevented the ship from continuing its “illegal activities”.
During the operation, the PCG pointed out to identify a submersible on the high seas accustomed, appointed Shenhai Yongshi or Warrior in Hauterere, which was recovered by the Chinese ship.
The submersible is capable of diving at 4,500 m and is generally deployed for exploration on the high seas and scientific missions, said the PCG.
He indicated that he also observed an inflatable boat with a rigid shell recovering yellow and unidentified equipment potentially linked to marine research.
“These CRV actions serves as clear evidence that the People's Republic of China is carrying out illegal marine scientific research activities in the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines, without legal authority to undertake such activities in this area,” said the PCG.
The Chinese Embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comments.
