Latest news with #JayTarriela
GMA Network
4 hours ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
PCG deploys another vessel to monitor China Coast Guard in Zambales
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has deployed another vessel to monitor the presence of China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels off the coast of Zambales, its spokesperson said Monday. 'Right now, BRP Bagacay is patrolling the waters within the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc and to monitor whether there will be another CCG vessel that will attempt to go near the coastline of Zambales this afternoon,' PCG spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela said in a Zoom briefing. Over the weekend, Tarriela said a CCG vessel was located five to 18 nautical miles from Palauig Point off the coast of Zambales, which is within the country's exclusive economic zone (EEZ). He said the vessel has gone further away from Zambales. 'I would like to believe na ito ngayon ay bumalik na sa vicinity ng Bajo de Masinloc. I would say it has the distance of somewhere between 115 to 120 nautical miles off the coast of Zambales,' Tarriela said. (I would like to believe that it has now returned to the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc. I would say it is at a distance of somewhere between 115 to 120 nautical miles off the coast of Zambales.) The PCG previously directed the Multi Role Response Vessel (MRRV-4409) BRP Cabra to challenge the presence of the CCG vessel. However, the BRP Cabra left after receiving a distress call from a Filipino fishing boat. Tarriela said that the CCG never responded to the BRP Cabra's challenge. He said that the CCG would often excuse its actions as the conduct of a legitimate maritime law enforcement. 'Kaya we are challenging them. We are reminding them that they are inside our own EEZ and that they do not have legitimate authority to conduct such illegal patrol,' Tarriela said. 'Kung hindi sila sumagot, I don't think we can hold them accountable for not responding. But definitely, we are challenging their illegal presence dito sa ating EEZ and that they never informed us of their intention why they are there and what is the purpose of their presence,' he added. In 2013, the Philippines challenged China over its claims on the West Philippine Sea, and in 2016 Manila scored a victory in a landmark ruling by an international tribunal that invalidated Beijing's claims. China has refused to acknowledge the Permanent Court of Arbitration's 2016 ruling that invalidated its nine-dash line. The Philippines has already filed over 150 diplomatic protests against China regarding the territorial dispute under the administration of President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. —LDF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
a day ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
PCG challenges China Coast Guard vessel off Zambales
The Philippine Coast Guard over the weekend challenged a China Coast Guard vessel located nearly 76 nautical miles from Palauig Point off the coast of Zambales, which is within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). In a post on his X account on Sunday evening, PCG spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela said the agency directed the Multi Role Response Vessel (MRRV-4409) BRP Cabra on Saturday evening to challenge the presence of the CCG vessel, in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). 'Despite facing challenging sea conditions with wave heights ranging from 8 to 10 feet, the 44-meter vessel continuously engaged the China Coast Guard 3105, emphasizing its lack of legal authority to patrol within Philippine waters but did not receive any response,' the post read. To recall, the Philippines in 2013 challenged China over its claims on the West Philippine Sea, and in 2016 Manila scored a victory in a landmark ruling by an international tribunal that invalidated Beijing's claims. China has refused to acknowledge the Permanent Court of Arbitration's 2016 ruling that invalidated its nine-dash line. Its government in 2022 claimed that it will continue to adhere to what it described as a 'friendly consultation' with the Philippines after several Chinese vessels have been found 'swarming' areas in the West Philippine Sea. The Philippines has already filed over 150 diplomatic protests against China regarding the territorial dispute under the administration of President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. Fishing boat in distress Tarriela said the BRP Cabra also received a distress call from Filipino fishing boat FFB John John, which reported engine troubles about 40.35 nautical miles southeast of Bajo De Masinloc. 'Swiftly responding to the situation, the crew of BRP Cabra successfully arrived at the location of the fishing boat and is now towing it safely back to Subic Port, Zambales,' he said. 'The actions of BRP Cabra and its crew reflect the commitment of the PCG to uphold the directive of the President, reinforcing the Philippines' rights in the West Philippine Sea,' he added. — BM, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
26-05-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
PCG sends 2 vessels to escort Atin Ito civilian mission to West PH Sea
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Monday said it has deployed two of its vessels to escort Atin Ito Coalition's civilian-led mission to the West Philippine Sea (WPS) from May 26 to 30. PCG spokesperson for WPS Commodore Jay Tarriela identified the two vessels as BRP Melchora Aquino and BRP Malapascua. 'Yesterday, BRP Melchora Aquino, ito ang isa sa pinakamalaking barko ng PCG, ay umalis na sa Puerto Princesa, Palawan patungo sa El Nido. This afternoon, it will be arriving at El Nido,' he said in a press briefing. (Yesterday, BRP Melchora Aquino, one of the largest ships of the PCG, departed Puerto Princesa, Palawan heading to El Nido. This afternoon, it will be arriving at El Nido.) 'And for the other vessel na sinabi ni [Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan] na ipapadala namin, BRP Malapascua is also prepositioned as well in El Nido, Palawan,' he added. (And for the other vessel that the Commandant said we will send, BRP Malapascua is also prepositioned as well in El Nido, Palawan.) Atin Ito, over the weekend, said its civilian-led mission to the WPS will continue despite the recent aggression of Chinese vessels in Sandy Cay. 'We proceed as planned, and we hope to conduct our musical event, ideally and safely within the vicinity of Pag asa Island. Ang dala natin ay kapayapaan sa pamamagitan ng musika, hindi lenguwahe ng giyera,' Atin Ito Coalition convenor Rafaela David said in a statement. (What we bring is peace through music, not the language of war.) A China Coast Guard (CCG) ship fired water cannon and sideswiped a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel in Pag-asa Cay 2 (Sandy Cay) in the WPS on May 22. BFAR said its BRP Datu Sanday and BRP Datu Pagbuaya were on a routine mission with a scientific team to collect sand samples in the area. 'At approximately 0913H, CCG vessel 21559 water cannoned and sideswiped the BRP Datu Sanday (MMOV 3002) twice, resulting in some damage to the latter's port bow and smokestack, and putting at risk lives of its civilian personnel onboard,' BFAR said. 'This incident marks the first time water cannons have been used against DA-BFAR research vessels in the area of the Pag-Asa Cays,' it added. The bureau pointed out that the incident happened within the territorial sea of the Philippines in the area of Pag-asa Island and Pag-asa Cay 2, which are part of the Kalayaan Island Group in the WPS. CCG said that it took "control measures" against the Philippine vessels which it said "illegally intruded" into waters near Subi Reef and Sandy Cay. Liu Dejun, the CCG spokesperson, claimed that one of the Philippine vessels "dangerously" approached and collided with their ship, and that responsibility "lies entirely" with the Philippine side. Tensions continue as Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual shipborne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. Parts of the South China Sea that fall within Philippine territory have been renamed by the government as West Philippine Sea to reinforce the country's claim. The West Philippine Sea refers to the maritime areas on the western side of the Philippine archipelago including Luzon Sea and the waters around, within and adjacent to the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had "no legal basis." China has refused to recognize the decision. —AOL, GMA Integrated News
Newsweek
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
China Research Ship 'Loitering' Near Undersea Cables: Report
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The irregular movements of a Chinese fishery survey ship in April have raised suspicions that it was collecting data on undersea cables critical to global communications. The Song Hang "exhibited deliberate loitering patterns directly over critical infrastructure, the kind of movement associated with mapping or surveillance activity, not fishing," maritime analytics firm Windward wrote in a new report. Newsweek has contacted the Chinese Foreign Ministry and the Philippine military with written requests for comment. Why It Matters The Chinese Communist Party is known to leverage both military and civilian sectors to advance political and economic objectives. This strategy extends to the maritime domain, where Chinese vessels have been accused of collecting intelligence and of conducting oceanographic research in other countries' maritime zones without permission—an act that violates international law. The Song Hang's apparent focus on submarine cables is particularly sensitive as these cables carry about 99 percent of intercontinental data traffic. Over the past two years, there have been multiple incidents of Chinese vessels damaging or severing these cables—including one case in February where Taiwanese authorities detained the crew on suspicion of sabotage. What To K now Windward, which tracks global vessel behavior using artificial intelligence, on Monday published an analysis of ship-tracking data highlighting an "unmistakable" difference between the Song Hang's movements and the "natural, erratic" ones of known fishing vessels. The Song Hang's grid-like paths last month, consistent with survey activity, were concentrated directly over and adjacent to Pacific undersea cables east of Japan and east of the Philippines. Windward also cited other "red flags" linked to the vessel, including "discrepancies between its transmitted and registered IMO, an unclear ownership trail, and a moderate illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing risk score." Chinese fisheries research ship the Song Hang operating in the Sulu Sea on April 2. Chinese fisheries research ship the Song Hang operating in the Sulu Sea on April 2. Philippine Coast Guard The Song Hang's activities detailed by Windward aren't the only ones to have come under scrutiny in recent weeks. In early April, the ship attracted the attention of the Philippine Coast Guard as it entered the Sulu Sea, within the country's archipelagic waters. Responding to radio hails, the crew said it was headed to the Indian Ocean to "catch fish," Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela told reporters. However, observers said the Song Hang was taking a highly indirect route. A National Security Council official said Manila would continue to monitor the vessel "to ensure that it keeps to its track and it does not conduct maritime survey inside our waters." While innocent passage is permitted through a country's archipelagic waters, conducting survey activity is not, according to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The Song Hang was launched in 2017 as China's first oceangoing fishery survey ship. Operated by Shanghai Ocean University, it is equipped with laboratories and capable of biological, meteorological and hydrological research. "It has great significance in tapping into China's ocean fishery resources, protecting ocean ecology and transforming China into a maritime power," said Chen Xinjun, the president of the university's College of Marine Sciences, as quoted by China Daily. What People Have Said Ray Powell, the director of the Stanford University-affiliated maritime analysis group SeaLight, wrote on X, formerly Twitter: "Remember China's Song Hang research ship? ... The ship told the Philippine Coast Guard it was on its way to go 'fishing' in the Indian Ocean. Seriously. Now Windward has analyzed its patterns to show how its favorite 'catch' is intelligence on undersea cables." What Happens Next Despite complaints from its neighbors, China is likely to continue deploying research ships, including the Song Hang, on intelligence-gathering missions in the region.
GMA Network
20-05-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
2 Chinese research ships seen within PH EEZ —PCG
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Tuesday said two Chinese research vessels were monitored within the country's exclusive economic zone (EEZ). In a press conference, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Commodore Jay Tarriela identified the Chinese ships as Xiang Yang Hong 302 and Tan Suo Er Hao. Xiang Yang Hong 302 departed Hainan in China last May 1 and was located 180 nautical miles off the coast of Rizal, Palawan in the Philippines at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, according to Tarriela. 'This research vessel is under the administration of the State Oceanic Administration. It is intended for use by the [People's Liberation Army Navy of China] for oceanography. It has an overall length of 100 meters and 4,500 tons,' Tarriela said. 'The capability of this Chinese research vessel is to conduct deep sea surveying. This is the reason why it is also equipped with remotely operated vehicles and private underwater drones,' he added. Tan Suo Er Hao departed Hainan on May 8 and was located 130.5 nautical miles from Burgos, Ilocos Norte, according to Tarriela. 'This Chinese research vessel is under the administration of China Ocean Mineral Resources Research and Development Association (COMRA) and it is manned by the Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering,' Tarriel said. 'It has the capability of also the same with the Xiang Yang Hong 302. It has the capability for deep sea research capability,' he added. Aircraft deployed According to Tarriela, PCG chief Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan has deployed an aircraft conducting maritime domain awareness flight to monitor Tan Suo Er Hao. Aside from the two Chinese vessels, Tarriela said Zhong Shan Da Xue was also monitored within the Philippines' EEZ but returned to Guangdong at 9:56 a.m. on Tuesday. 'As early as March 31, it departed Guangdong province. It spent a considerable large number of conducting marine scientific research up north within the EEZ of the Philippines and sometimes crossing also the Taiwan Strait. It only returned to Guangdong province May 20,' Tarriela said. 'As you can see from the navigation pattern of this Chinese research vessel, the Chinese government cannot deny that what they are doing there is actually a marine scientific research,' he added. Tarriela said Zhong Shan Da Xue is owned and operated by Sun Yat-sen University. 'Probably the Chinese government can also reason that it is purely for scientific and civilian use. But there are also reports that the scientific findings of this research vessel is also being forwarded to the PLA Navy for whatever reasons that they can make use of those data,' he added. Tensions continue as Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual shipborne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. Parts of the South China Sea that fall within Philippine territory have been renamed by the government as West Philippine Sea to reinforce the country's claim. The West Philippine Sea refers to the maritime areas on the western side of the Philippine archipelago including Luzon Sea and the waters around, within and adjacent to the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had "no legal basis." China has refused to recognize the decision. —AOL, GMA Integrated News
