WPS tension: Chinese vessel blocks PH research ship

Filipino marine scientists on Pagasa Island’s Cay 2. (Photo courtesy of the Philippine Coast Guard)

A China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel again made “dangerous maneuvers” on Thursday and tried to block a Philippine fishery vessel carrying marine scientists conducting research in the West Philippine Sea or WPS.

Commodore Jay Tarriela, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the WPS, told a press briefing on Friday that CCG vessel 5204 crossed the path of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources’ (BFAR) BRP Datu Sanday, coming as close as 100 meters adding to the WPS tension that has been simmering for months.

Tarriela said at least 13 Chinese maritime militia vessels were in the vicinity during the blocking maneuver. He added a People’s Liberation Army Navy helicopter was also seen in the area.

The BRP Datu Sanday and the BRP Pagbuaya, escorted by PCG vessels, left Pag-asa Island at about 10 a.m. on Thursday.

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The vessels carrying Filipino marine scientists were en route to Pag-asa Cays 1 and 2 (also known as Sandy Cay), two of the sandbars situated within the 22-kilometer territorial sea of Pag-asa Island in the WPS.

According to Tarriela, the CCG vessel 5204 sounded a siren for more than 30 minutes to call the attention of the Chinese maritime militia vessels “to support her actions in preventing the BFAR vessels and our marine scientists onboard a rigid hull inflatable boats” to reach Pag-asa Cays 1 and 2.

Despite dangerous maneuvers by the Chinese vessel, he said those manning the Philippine ships were “able to deal with them professionally” and reached the sandbars at 2 p.m. on Thursday.

He also refuted China’s claims that their coast guard was able to prevent the Philippine vessels from completing its marine scientific research in the WPS.

Successful mission

“That’s another lie. Contrary to China’s claims, the Filipino marine scientist successfully conducted more than four hours of extensive coral reef and fishery resources assessment, despite the illegal presence of CCG vessel 5204, which came as close as 100 meters to the BFAR vessel,” Tarriela said.

He pointed out that the BFAR and PCG’s actions in conducting marine scientific research in the West Philippine Sea “are fully in accordance” with the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

He said the cays and their surrounding waters, which are within the territorial sea of Pag-asa Island, form part of the Philippine national territory.

“The presence of the CCG and Chinese maritime militia vessels in the area is a clear infringement of the Philippines’ territorial sovereignty,” he said.

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In the same press briefing, Dr. Jonathan Anticamara, the marine scientist who was part of the research team, said they also found “piles of rubble” at Sandy Cay.

“We don’t know who put it there. Many of these piles of rubble are not the same as those underwater, and we need further observation in the laboratory,” he said.

Tarriela added that the BFAR and PCG are “committed to upholding the rule of law and will continue to protect the rights and interests of the Philippines in accordance with international law.”

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