MANILA — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said it is set to deploy aircraft and vessels to confront and drive away four Chinese research vessels allegedly conducting unauthorized marine scientific research within Philippine waters.

The PCG said the vessels were detected through Canada’s Dark Vessel Detection system and were assessed to be operating without prior approval from the Philippine government, in violation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Authorities identified the vessels and their respective locations based on recent monitoring.

The XIANGYANGHONG 33, described as an oceanographic survey vessel capable of deep-sea research and geophysical exploration, was reported stationary about 140.47 nautical miles northwest of Rizal, Palawan, within the vicinity of Quirino Atoll.

The SHI YAN 1, a research vessel equipped for marine science and hydro-acoustic operations, was observed moving approximately 118 nautical miles west of Itbayat, Batanes.

Another vessel, JIA GENG, which is capable of deploying unmanned underwater vehicles for oceanographic studies, was detected underway about 88.36 nautical miles northeast of Itbayat.

Meanwhile, ZHUHAIYUN, described as an intelligent drone mothership designed to operate multiple unmanned vehicles for ocean surveys, was spotted stationary around 102.11 nautical miles northwest of BDM, or about 171.18 nautical miles west of Bolinao, Pangasinan.

The PCG said it will take action to challenge the presence of these vessels and ensure their removal from Philippine waters, while continuing to monitor their activities in line with domestic and international maritime laws.

“In furtherance of the policy directive of President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr, the Philippine Coast Guard remains steadfast in safeguarding the country’s maritime domain. We will not tolerate any illegal marine scientific research conducted without our government’s consent. We are deploying aircraft and vessels to challenge and drive away these unauthorized vessels to protect Philippine sovereignty and sovereign rights,” said PCG Commandant, Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan.