A China Coast Guard (CCG) ship has closely followed a survey vessel of the government near Bajo de Masinloc (Panatag or Scarborough Shoal) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Commodore Jay Tarriela, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for WPS, said CCG ship with bow number "5303" has "persistently engaged in provocative actions and illegal monitoring" of a hydrographic survey conducted by BRP Hydrographer Ventura, a survey vessel of the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (Namria), since Sunday, April 15.
BRP Hydrographer Ventura conducted a hydrographic survey at 110.46 nautical miles northwest off Bolinao, Pangasinan near Bajo de Masinloc over the weekend. It was escorted by PCG ship BRP Gabriela Silang.
Tarriela said CCG 5303 tailed the survey vessel at a close distance of one nautical mile.
"Although they have not directly obstructed or interfered with our survey activities, this relentless behavior serves as undeniable evidence that the People's Republic of China (PRC) is unhesitant in deploying its vessels within our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) to intimidate and impede our legitimate operations, specifically in the field of marine scientific research," Tarriela said.
The encounter between the CCG and Philippine vessels continued until Monday, April 15.
The outspoken coast guard officer said the "blatant disregard" for Philippines' jurisdiction and sovereign rights refutes the narratives being propagated by "pro-China trolls" who claim that the Philippines actions "are intended to provoke China or that we deliberately seek to present ourselves as oppressed."
Tarriela cited Part XIII of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in stating that the Philippines has the exclusive right to regulate, authorize, and conduct marine scientific research in its own 200-nautical mile EEZ and Continental Shelf.
"It is crucial to emphasize that our ongoing hydrographic survey in the northern region fully aligns with this provision. As a nation, we have every right to conduct this survey without facing impediments from any other states," he said.
Under Article 238 (right to conduct marine scientific research), Section 1, Part XIII of UNCLOS, all States, irrespective of their geographical location, and competent international organizations "have the right to conduct marine scientific research subject to the rights and duties of other States as provided for in this Convention."
Despite the "provocation" by the CCG ship, Tarriela noted that the Philippine vessels "have chosen not to respond with violence or aggression."
"Nevertheless, the government remains committed to advancing the rule of law in the West Philippine Sea and peace in the broader Indo-Pacific Region. The Philippines will not yield," Tarriela said.