Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Article (news)

Bianca Dava

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1754457832756cropped-Screen Shot 2025-08-06 at 1.21.55 PM.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">A Chinese research vessel spotted off the coast of Sta. Ana, Cagayan. Jay Tarriela/PCG </span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Wednesday raised serious concern over a surge in the presence of Chinese research vessels operating in the West Philippine Sea, a maritime area within the country’s 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).</p><p>So far this year, the PCG West Philippine Sea Transparency Group (WPSTG) has monitored around 20 to 22 Chinese research ships in the said waters—averaging three to four entries per month. This is significantly higher compared to the previous years.</p><p>The vessels included the Xiang Yang Hong 05, Bei Dao 996, Xiang Yang Hong 10 and Zhuhai Yun.</p><p>“Xiang Yang Hong 05 was intercepted and expelled after being spotted near Cagayan following a 22-day Pacific mission and is capable of deploying drones and unmanned underwater vehicles, raising concerns about unauthorized data gathering and seabed mapping,” the PCG WPSTG said.</p><p>According to Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, the vessels did not show resistance when challenged by Philippine authorities.</p><p>“Their increasing presence within the country’s EEZ is deeply concerning,” Tarriela said in a statement.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/4/coast-guard-around-21-to-28-chinese-research-vessels-spotted-in-philippine-eez-this-year-1452">Coast guard: Around 21 to 28 Chinese research vessels spotted in Philippine EEZ this year</a></div><p>The PCG is intensifying maritime domain awareness and surveillance efforts using patrol vessels and aircraft to monitor foreign movements in Philippine waters.</p><p>It also called on China to respect Philippine sovereign rights and comply with international maritime laws, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).</p><p>“The agency also reiterates the importance of securing prior authorization for any form of maritime research activities within Philippine waters,” the PCG said. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/3/pcg-challenges-chinese-research-ship-in-west-philippine-sea-1343">PCG challenges Chinese research ship in West Philippine Sea</a></div><p>Under the UNCLOS, foreign vessels must obtain prior authorization from coastal states before conducting marine scientific research in their EEZs.</p><p>Last week, Tarriela said the PCG was monitoring two Chinese research ships, the Zhuhai Yun and Xiang Yang Hong, which entered the Philippines’ EEZ on July 25.</p><p>As of noon on Thursday, the Chinese vessels were detected over 190 nautical miles off the coast of Rizal, Palawan.</p><div><iframe width="1100" height="619" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iDYrW1jq47I" title="2 Chinese research vessels spotted in PH EEZ | ANC" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><iframe width="1100" height="619" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QUNHDXLu8Xo" title="Full briefing: Facts about Chinese research vessel inside PH&#x27;s archipelagic waters | ABS-CBN News" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>The Philippine Coast Guard on Wednesday raised serious concern over a surge in the presence of Chinese research vessels in the West Philippine Sea. </p>

The Philippine Coast Guard on Wednesday raised serious concern over a surge in the presence of Chinese research vessels in the West Philippine Sea.

PCG alarmed by surge of Chinese research vessels in West Philippine Sea

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PCG alarmed by surge of Chinese research vessels in West Philippine Sea

Bianca Dava,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 06, 2025 01:16 PM PHT

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Updated August 06, 2025 01:24 PM PHT

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