MANILA – The National Maritime Council (NMC) criticized the continued presence of Chinese maritime scientific research vessels in several areas of the West Philippine Sea, including waters near Cay-2 and Cay-3 in the Pag-asa Islands.

In a media report, it said that NMC spokesperson Alexander Lopez, speaking on “Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon,” said the reported activities of Chinese vessels extend beyond Pag-asa Island and have been observed in multiple locations across Philippine waters.

“Naiulat ang mga ilegal na gawain ng Tsina sa ating karagatan. Hindi lamang sa PAGASA Island kundi pati na rin sa ibang lugar ng West Philippine Sea,” Lopez said.

“Ito yung mga sumusunod: Dalawang Chinese maritime research vessels ay nasa may Itbayat, Batanes sa norte ng Luzon…Isang maritime surveillance research vessel, sa layong 171 nautical miles mula naman sa Bolinao, Pangasinan…Isa ring Chinese MSR vessel, sa layong 140 nautical miles mula sa Rizal, Palawan, ito yung Xiang Yang Hong 33,” he added.

The Philippine Coast Guard earlier monitored the Chinese research vessel Xiang Yang Hong 33, which is capable of conducting deep-sea mapping, submersible support, and marine ecological studies.

Authorities said that since entering the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ), the vessel has been observed conducting what was described as unauthorized marine scientific research activities in various features within Philippine waters.

The NMC said such activities violate Philippine sovereignty and provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which require foreign states to secure permission from the coastal state before conducting scientific research within its waters.

“Ang mga naturang aktibidad ay ilegal at nilalabag ang mga probisyon ng UNCLOS, particularly sa requirement na kinakailangan na dapat may pahintulot ang isang foreign state mula sa nakakasakop na coastal state tulad ng Pilipinas, bago magsagawa ng anumang scientific research at activity sa ating karagatan,” Lopez said.

Pag-asa Island, located 277 miles from mainland Palawan and part of the Kalayaan Island Group, is among the areas being closely monitored. It has a land area of 32.7 hectares and is the largest feature in the group.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) previously reported a decline in the number of Chinese vessels in parts of the West Philippine Sea, with 27 vessels observed from May 12 to 18 across several features.

These include Ayungin Shoal with eight vessels, Bajo de Masinloc with 14, Escoda Shoal with one, and Pag-asa Islands with four vessels.

In 2016, an international arbitration ruling in The Hague favored the Philippines, invalidating China’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea, a decision that Beijing has continued to reject.