Sea Conflict Erupts As Philippine And Chinese Vessels Face Off Near Batanes

A tense maritime confrontation unfolded Thursday, October 1, as Philippine and Chinese vessels faced off near Itbayat, with a Chinese Coast Guard ship moving in as Philippine authorities challenged a Chinese research vessel.

The Philippine Coast Guard said BRP Teresa Magbanua approached the JIA HAI KE 7 to less than 100 yards and deployed a rigid-hull inflatable boat that repeatedly circled the Chinese vessel. The PCG said the research ship repeatedly maneuvered to evade the Philippine units.

The encounter intensified when China Coast Guard vessel CCG-2503 arrived and issued repeated radio challenges to BRP Teresa Magbanua. The Philippine vessel then shadowed the Chinese Coast Guard ship while maintaining its position near the research vessel.

A PCG Islander aircraft also flew over the area in support of the operation. The JIA HAI KE 7 had been detected about 37 nautical miles northwest of Itbayat since September 28.

The PCG said the research vessel was conducting unauthorized marine scientific research inside the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and that no Philippine government consent had been granted. The operation was aimed at challenging and driving the vessel away from the area.