MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has hit back against Beijing’s attempts to downplay regional maritime patrols as political theater. PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela flatly dismissed China’s claims that Philippine monitoring efforts are merely “publicity stunts” linked to domestic politics, clarifying that the operations are legitimate, routine exercises of national sovereignty.
The defense of the patrols follows an active aerial and maritime reconnaissance operation over the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG), which exposed a coordinated, unauthorized Chinese survey footprint near Pag-asa (Thitu) Island.
The diplomatic row was triggered by the findings of a Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) flight conducted by a PCG Islander 4177 aircraft over the weekend. Patrol crews documented an active, unauthorized Marine Scientific Research (MSR) operation deployed well within Pag-asa Island’s 12-nautical-mile territorial sea.
- The Mothership: At the center of the operation was the Xiang Yang Hong 33, a highly advanced Chinese oceanographic survey vessel engineered for deep-sea data collection, bathymetric mapping, and submersible deployment. Tracking data shows the vessel originally departed Guangzhou on April 15 and has spent nearly a month charting Philippine waters without consent.
- The Escort Fleet: The research vessel was flanked by two China Coast Guard (CCG) ships—bearing bow numbers 5101 and 5309—which actively deployed rigid-hulled inflatable boats and rubber boats to support the mission.
- The Landings: PCG patrol crews observed Chinese personnel launching rubber boats, landing directly onto Sandy Cay 2, and conducting undocumented activities on the feature before moving over to Sandy Cay 3.
- Militia Swarm: In addition to the government vessels, the MDA flight documented 20 Chinese Maritime Militia Vessels (CMMVs) heavily swarmed across the surrounding waters of Sandy Cays 3 and 4.
[CHINESE INCURSION FOOTPRINT: PAG-ASA CAYS]
│
┌──────────────────────┼──────────────────────┐
▼ ▼ ▼
[Xiang Yang Hong 33] [CCG 5101 & 5309] [20 Militia Ships]
Advanced MSR Vessel Escort ships deploying Swarming the peripheral
conducting deep-sea rubber boats for land waters around Sandy
surveys without consent. landings on Cays 2 & 3. Cays 3 and 4.
Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), foreign states are strictly required to obtain prior formal consent from the coastal state before initiating any marine scientific research within its territorial sea or Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Tarriela emphasized that the Philippines granted no such permission to Beijing.
During the MDA flight, PCG crews issued multiple radio challenges demanding that the Chinese vessels immediately stop their unauthorized work and exit the territory.
“It is China that has always opportunistically taken advantage of our domestic politics. Our MDA patrols remain routine and legitimate… China’s repeated militarization, artificial island-building, and harassment of Philippine vessels and aircraft are the real drivers of tension, not our transparent patrols. The Chinese Embassy must stop its double-speak and respect international law.” — Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela, PCG Spokesperson for the WPS
The incursion near Pag-asa Island adds to a growing list of maritime standoffs, coming on the heels of military friction concerning Ayungin Shoal, Bajo de Masinloc, and previous environmental damage investigations in the region.
PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan reiterated that despite the pushback from Chinese diplomatic channels, the Philippines will not back down or alter its tracking protocols. Backed by direct directives from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the PCG confirmed it will continue to preserve its consistent, lawful aerial and maritime deployments to permanently monitor the cays, safeguard local fishermen, and defend the integrity of the country’s maritime boundaries.