A Chinese Navy ship was reported shadowing Philippine Coast Guard and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessels en route to Pag-asa Island, where they were set to conduct maritime patrols and marine scientific research. The incident, occurring around 10:45 a.m. on Tuesday, involved the Chinese vessel trailing the Philippine ships, BRP Cabra and BRP Sindangan, without responding to radio contact attempts. The Chinese vessel eventually altered its course an hour later.
Upon reaching Pag-asa Island at 1 p.m., Philippine authorities observed up to nine Chinese militia vessels and one China Coast Guard ship in the vicinity, maintaining their presence until Wednesday.
The BFAR, in collaboration with University of the Philippines marine researchers, initiated a maritime resource assessment around Pag-asa Cays, following the previous year’s discovery of dead corals at Sandy Cay Two, suspected to be deliberately placed. This assessment aims to investigate the source and intent behind the coral displacement, with the overarching goal of examining the marine ecosystem’s health in the Kalayaan Island Group, essential for the country’s fishery sustainability.
Commodore Jay Tarriela of the PCG West Philippine Sea stressed the Philippines’ sovereign rights to conduct scientific research in its territorial waters, underscoring the nation’s commitment to its maritime domain and environmental stewardship.