The Philippines has accused China of conducting illegal research in its waters
The Philippine Coast Guard has stated that several Chinese vessels are conducting marine research in the country’s waters without permission. Manila considers this a violation of international maritime law and is preparing countermeasures, according to Bloomberg.
The Philippines has reported the presence of Chinese vessels in its exclusive economic zone and called their actions illegal. According to the Coast Guard, these are marine research activities being conducted without official permission from Manila.
Bloomberg reports this, citing statements from the Philippine side. The agency emphasized that such activities violate the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. “The Philippine Coast Guard has determined that they are conducting illegal marine scientific research without the appropriate authority and prior consent of the Philippine government, which is a clear violation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,” said Coast Guard spokesperson Rear Admiral Jay Tariel.
According to the Philippine side, one of the vessels was spotted near Itbayat in Batanes Province, another near Jackson Atoll off Palawan, and a third near the Scarborough Shoal. A fourth vessel was also in the South China Sea region within Philippine waters.
Manila notes that among the identified vessels are modern oceanographic research ships capable of conducting deep-sea measurements, seabed mapping, and geophysical surveys. A separate mention is made of a vessel capable of simultaneously controlling dozens of unmanned aerial vehicles for comprehensive ocean monitoring.
The Philippine Coast Guard stated that, if necessary, it could deploy aircraft and patrol boats to respond and expel foreign vessels from territorial waters. “We will not tolerate any illegal marine scientific research conducted without our government’s consent,” emphasized Philippine Coast Guard Chief Ronnie Gil Gavan.
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