MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is monitoring a Chinese research vessel detected within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) off Batanes and has reported an aggressive maneuver by a China Coast Guard (CCG) ship off Zambales.

On Monday morning, PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan deployed the PCG Islander 4177 aircraft to monitor and challenge the Chinese research vessel ZHONG SHAN DA XUE at coordinates 21°18.457’ N, 123°12.281’ E, approximately 78.21 nautical miles northeast of Itbayat, Batanes.

The PCG said its crew attempted multiple times to establish radio communication with the Chinese vessel, but received no response. PCG aviators issued a radio challenge, stating that the Chinese vessel lacked authority to conduct marine scientific research within the Philippine EEZ and emphasized that such activity constitutes a violation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Philippine Maritime Zones Act.

Meanwhile, the PCG reported that the BRP Cabra, under the command of LCDR Hanna Yanez, continues to patrol off the coast of Zambales to prevent efforts by the China Coast Guard to normalize illegal patrols within the country’s EEZ.

According to the PCG, during an engagement with CCG-21612 on Sunday in the vicinity of 132.97 WSW off Capon Grande, Zambales — or about 36.35 nautical miles southwest of Bajo de Masinloc — the Chinese vessel increased speed and maneuvered past the port side of BRP Cabra, dangerously blocking its navigation route.

The PCG said the maneuver violates the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS) and reflects a disregard for maritime safety.

The PCG said it remains guided by UNCLOS, the 2016 Arbitral Award, and the Philippine Maritime Zones Act in conducting patrols and upholding the policy direction of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to assert the country’s maritime rights without escalating tensions in the West Philippine Sea.