A handout photo made available by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) shows China Coast Guard (CCGV-3105) patrol ship maneuvering near Philippine Coast Guard vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701) at the vicinity of Scarborough Shoal, Philippines, in the disputed waters of the South China Sea, on 08 February 2024 (issued on 11 February 2024). PCG/File

Chinese Coast Guard

China Coast Guard

Michael Delizo

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The China Coast Guard has been shadowing the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) vessel BRP Hydrographer Ventura and its Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) escort BRP Gabriela Silang in the West Philippine Sea, Philippine officials said Monday. <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/3/23/china-coast-guard-used-water-cannon-on-resupply-boat-afp-2143"></a><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/3/23/china-coast-guard-used-water-cannon-on-resupply-boat-afp-2143">READ: China Coast Guard used water cannon on resupply boat — AFP</a></div>Coast Guard Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said a China Coast Guard vessel has been “monitoring, tailing” the Ventura and the Silang, which have been conducting a week-long hydrographic survey in the north-western Luzon area.“Hindi totoo ‘yong sinasabi ng China na they are only deploying their vessels on those areas na hindi tayo nagho-honor ng gentleman’s agreement,” Tarriela told members of the press in a briefing, referring to former President Rodrigo Duterte’s supposed deal with Chinese President Xi Jinping to keep the “status quo” at Ayungin Shoal, where the aging BRP Sierra Madre is located. <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/4/12/duterte-denies-gentleman-s-agreement-with-china-s-xi-1029"></a><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/4/12/duterte-denies-gentleman-s-agreement-with-china-s-xi-1029">READ: Duterte admits deal with Xi on West Philippine Sea status quo</a></div>“It just goes to show na ang China Coast Guard, nagde-deploy din sila in other areas sa exclusive economic zone natin para i-impose ‘yong paniniwala nila na legitimate ang nine-dash line,” he added. Tarriela insisted the Philippines’ right to  carry out research in its territory within the 200-nautical miles exclusive economic zone, as ruled by the 2016 arbitral award. “And yet, China Coast Guard vessel is there monitoring our presence within our own exclusive economic zone that is like 650 nautical miles away from them,” he said. Retired US Air Force Col. Ray Powell, director of SeaLight, a maritime transparency project that monitors and reports activities in the South China Sea, posted on X a satellite image showing the presence of CCG 5303 just 35 nautical miles from Luzon’s coastline on early Sunday morning near the path of the Ventura and Gabriela Silang. The CCG vessel continued to shadow the research mission until Monday as the Philippine vessels sailed to the north of Bajo de Masinloc. <div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/3/26/filipino-scientists-in-pag-asa-island-harassed-injured-by-china-aircraft-bfar-1104">READ: Filipino scientists in Pag-asa Island &#x27;harassed&#x27;, injured by China aircraft: BFAR</a></div>Jonathan Malaya, spokesperson of the National Security Council, clarified the CCG vessel has not blocked the Philippine vessels, contrary to some reports. “What China is doing is shadowing…” Malaya said. “There is no interference, there is no standoff, there is nothing. It is just a normal day at the West Philippine Sea.”Meanwhile, Tarriela said about 12 Filipino fishing boats are currently at Bajo de Masinloc. “This is the time of the year kung saan nama-maximize nila ang pangingisda rito. That’s the only reason why the Chinese fishing vessels are also increasing in the immediate vicinity ng Bajo de Masinloc,” Tarriela said.“Hindi naman sila hina-harass, nakakapangisda dito. But to be honest with you, of course, hindi naman sila naga-attempt pumasok sa lagoon.” Malaya added that “right at this very moment, our fishermen are fishing in the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc and there is no interference, there is no untoward incident.”

The CCG vessel continued to shadow the research mission until Monday as the Philippine vessels sailed to the north of Bajo de Masinloc.

The CCG vessel continued to shadow the research mission until Monday as the Philippine vessels sailed to the north of Bajo de Masinloc.

China Coast Guard tails PH ships conducting research in West PH Sea | ABS-CBN

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China Coast Guard tails PH ships conducting research in West PH Sea

China Coast Guard tails PH ships conducting research in West PH Sea

Michael Delizo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Apr 15, 2024 02:46 PM PHT

|

Updated Apr 15, 2024 04:39 PM PHT

Read More:

China Coast Guard

Philippine Coast Guard

NAMRIA

BRP Hydrographer Ventura

BRP Gabriela Silang

West Philippine Sea

South China Sea

Bajo de Masinloc

Scarborough Shoal

ANC

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