Julia Christine Botin

PCG escorts 'illegal' Chinese research vessel out of PH waters

Article (news)

Jessie Cruzat

ABS-CBN News

<div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1746512803982New Project (11).jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">A Chinese research vessel inside the Philippines&#x27; exclusive economic zone chooses not to respond to the Philippine Coast Guard radio challenges, Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said in a post on X on Tuesday. Screenshot from a video from the PCG/Jay Tarriela on X</span></span></span>MANILA — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Tuesday confirmed that the BRP Teresa Magbanua had “successfully escorted” the Chinese research vessel Tan Suo 3 out of the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) on Monday evening.</div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/5/5/pcg-says-chinese-ship-conducting-deep-sea-exploration-in-ph-eez-1928">PCG says Chinese ship conducting &#x27;deep-sea exploration&#x27; in PH EEZ</a></div><p>“The deployment of the Philippine Coast Guard BRP Teresa Magbanua and our coast guard aircraft is successful in preventing the Chinese government in doing marine scientific research and whatever research they are conducting in our own exclusive economic zone,” said Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea.</p><p>“It is worrisome. Nakakabahala in a way na it’s because this Chinese research vessel has the capability for deep-sea mapping. Malalim ito and there’s a possibility that they are doing this kind of deep-sea mapping in support of their submarine navigation,” he added.</p><p>The vessel was first monitored off the coast of Burgos, Ilocos Norte, on May 1, which was reportedly conducting illegal marine scientific research.</p><p>Tarriela added that the PCG personnel spotted a &quot;manned deep-sea submersible vessel” fast approaching the Chinese Research Vessel, which was later retrieved by its crew.</p><p>It was later identified as the &quot;Shenhai Yongshi or Deep-Sea Warrior” which has the capability to dive to depths of 4,500 meters.</p><p>“It is actually designed to carry out marine scientific research, archeological maritime exploration and also carry out deep-sea scientific research,” Tarriela said.</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FiVbYT6Ek5g?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div><p>Apart from the “deep-sea submersible vessel”, the PCG personnel also saw a Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB) was being deployed to recover a &quot;yellow-cored unidentified piece of equipment” which, according to Tarriela, may also be associated with the Chinese illegal marine scientific research activities.</p><p>“I think there are at least 7 or 8 Chinese research vessels that we monitored so far but this is the biggest Chinese research vessel and the most modern. This was just launched last December 2024,” he added.</p><p>The PCG is currently finalizing the results of its operation, which will be submitted to the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea.</p>

<p>The Philippine Coast Guard on Tuesday confirmed that the BRP Teresa Magbanua had “successfully escorted” the Chinese research vessel Tan Suo 3 out of the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone on Monday evening.</p>

The Philippine Coast Guard on Tuesday confirmed that the BRP Teresa Magbanua had “successfully escorted” the Chinese research vessel Tan Suo 3 out of the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone on Monday evening.