Jamaine Punzalan

Article (news)

Agence France-Presse

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17781439100971778143908917.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Courtesy: PCG </span></span></span>The Philippine Coast Guard said Thursday it <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/3/pcg-deploys-ships-aircraft-to-drive-away-chinese-research-vessels-in-ph-waters-1337">deployed aircraft </a>to issue radio warnings to a Chinese research ship in a disputed area of the South China Sea &quot;swarming&quot; with vessels from Beijing&#x27;s so-called maritime militia.</div><p>The research vessel Xiang Yang Hong 33, which is capable of supporting submersible craft, was operating near a reef in the contested Spratly Island chain, the Philippine Coast Guard said.</p><p>The Chinese ship was deploying a service boat towards the Spratlys&#x27; Iroquois Reef on Wednesday when it was spotted by a Coast Guard plane, &quot;confirming ongoing unauthorized (marine scientific research) operations&quot;, the statement said.</p><p>Iroquois Reef is located at the southern end of Reed Bank, an area in the Spratlys thought to be rich in natural gas and oil.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17781439526561778143951601.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Courtesy: PCG </span></span></span></div><p>During the flight, Manila&#x27;s Coast Guard also spotted 41 &quot;maritime militia vessels&quot; anchored in waters surrounding Iroquois Reef and Philippine-occupied Thitu Island, home to about 400 Filipinos and a new coast guard station.</p><p>&quot;The Philippines has not granted such consent to the (People&#x27;s Republic of China) for any (marine scientific research) activities in these waters,&quot; the Coast Guard said.</p><p>&quot;The presence of the research vessel and the large-scale swarming by Chinese Maritime Militia vessels represent a serious infringement on Philippine sovereign rights and maritime jurisdiction.&quot;</p><p>The Chinese Embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17781439373371778143936032.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Courtesy: PCG </span></span></span></div><p>The Xiang Yang Hong 33, which left China over three weeks ago, has been monitored conducting surveys near various Philippine-claimed features in the Spratly chain, including the flashpoint Sabina Shoal and Second Thomas Shoal.</p><p>Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea, despite an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis, and defends its actions against Philippine vessels as lawful and proportional.</p><p>It has been deploying navy, coast guard and maritime militia forces -- allegedly Chinese fishing vessels -- in a bid to bar the Philippines from strategically important reefs and islands in the disputed waterway.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>MORE STORIES: </strong></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/4/ph-us-japan-forces-simulate-coastal-defense-repel-mock-invasion-in-laoag-drills-1650">Balikatan 2026: PH, US, Japan forces simulate coastal defense, repel mock invasion in Laoag drills</a><br/><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/4/29/ph-navy-monitors-chinese-vessels-aircraft-during-balikatan-maritime-drills-1125">PH Navy monitors Chinese vessels, aircraft during Balikatan maritime drills </a><br/><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/6/south-china-sea-coc-to-be-part-of-asean-2026-discussions-but-no-binding-agreement-expected-1842">South China Sea COC to be part of ASEAN 2026 discussions, but no binding agreement expected</a><br/><br/></div>

<p>The Philippine Coast Guard said Thursday it deployed aircraft to issue radio warnings to a Chinese research ship in a disputed area of the South China Sea "swarming" with vessels from Beijing's so-called maritime militia.</p>

The Philippine Coast Guard said Thursday it deployed aircraft to issue radio warnings to a Chinese research ship in a disputed area of the South China Sea "swarming" with vessels from Beijing's so-called maritime militia.

Philippines warns China research ship in disputed waters

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Philippines warns China research ship in disputed waters

Agence France-Presse

Published May 07, 2026 04:54 PM PHT

Read More:

PCG

coast guard

West Philippine Sea

South China Sea

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