Philippines Deploys Aircraft and Ships to Drive Chinese Research Vessels

ILLUSTRATION PHOTO via Wikimedia Commons

JAKARTA - The Philippines has deployed aircraft and ships to expel Chinese research vessels that are conducting "illegal marine scientific research."

The decision was made after the Philippine Coast Guard detected four Chinese research vessels operating around Philippine waters, according to the local English-language daily, Philstar.

"We will not tolerate any illegal marine scientific research conducted without the approval of our government," said Philippine Coast Guard Commander, Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, as reported by ANTARA from Anadolu, Monday, May 4.

"We are deploying aircraft and ships to challenge and repel these unauthorized vessels to protect the sovereignty and sovereign rights of the Philippines," he said.

China's state-run Xinhua news agency also reported on Sunday (3/5), "five Filipino crew members illegally landed at Tiexian Jiao in China's Nansha Qundao, ignoring repeated warnings and prevention efforts from the Chinese side," citing sources.

Beijing calls the Spratly Islands claimed by the Philippines in the South China Sea as Nansha Qundao.

Chinese Coast Guard law enforcement officers "identified the intruders and handled the incident in accordance with the law, effectively protecting China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests," the statement added.