Latest news with #Tarriela
GMA Network
4 days 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
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
GMA Network
19-05-2025
- Science
- GMA Network
PCG: At least 6 Chinese underwater drones retrieved from PH waters so far
Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad says in a press conference on April 15, 2025, that there is a 55% to 80% likelihood that China deployed some of the submersible drones recovered in Philippine waters. JOVILAND RITA/ GMA Integrated News The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Monday that "six or seven" underwater drones believed to have originated in China have been found so far in Philippine waters. 'With regard to the drone, ito ay tinu-turnover sa Armed Forces of the Philippines. I'm not really sure about the accurate number, pero sa pagkaalam ko we have already retrieved as many as 6 or 7 underwater drones,' said PCG spokesperson for West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela in an interview with Super Radyo dzBB. (With regard to the drone, these are turned over to the Armed Forces of the Philippines. I'm not really sure about the accurate number, but from what I know there were already six to seven underwater drones that there retrieved.) The PCG official said that it recently challenged two Chinese research vessels within the country's exclusive economic zone: one 151 nautical miles west off the coast of Itbayat, Zambales, and the other 40 to 45 nautical miles off the coast of Burgos, Ilocos Norte. 'Nitong mga nakaraan, nagpalipad na tayo ng mga aircraft natin to monitor physically itong mga Chinese research vessel na ito. Based on our maritime domain awareness flight yesterday, dalawang research vessel ng China ang chinallenge ng ating aircraft at dinocument,' said Tarriela. (Just recently, we flew an aircraft to physically monitor these Chinese research vessels. Based on our maritime domain awareness flight yesterday, we challenged and documented two Chinese research vessels.) Outgoing senator Francis Tolentino earlier sounded the alarm over the reports of unmanned underwater drones that were being retrieved in Philippine waters. The Philippine Navy suggested that there could be more foreign underwater vessels within the country's territory. The PCG pointed out that other southeast Asian countries, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia, have also reported sightings of underwater drones from China. 'I think with the presence of these Chinese research vessels and the markings ng mga drones na nakikita natin dito sa mga na-retrieve na 'to, there's no other country na pwede nating pagdudahan na gumagawa nito,' said Tarriela. (I think with the presence of these Chinese research vessels and the markings of the drones that we have retrieved, there's no other country we can think of that could be behind this.) 'And it's not just here in the Philippine waters ang nakaka-experience nito, even Southeast Asian neighbors are experiencing and complaining about these drones na nare-recover nila. Pati Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia are also retrieving underwater drones na may Chinese markings.' (It's not just the Philippines, but our southeast Asian neighbors are also experiencing and complaining about these drones. For instance, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia have also retrieved underwater drones with Chinese markings.) The PCG is hoping that the lawmakers in the 20th Congress will consider pushing for bills that will improve the maritime research capabilities of the country. 'Paigtingin ang mga science institutes natin…para mas paigtingin yung capability nila and also in conducting marine scientific research. It's about time for us to allocate funds para mapaayos yung kanilang capability whether its a research vessel or any other equipment,' said Tarriela. (We are hoping to improve the capability of our science institutes in conducting marine scientific research. It's about time that we allocate funds to improve their capabilities whether it be providing them with a research vessel or any other equipment.) — BM, GMA Integrated News
Newsweek
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
US Ally Intercepts Chinese Ship Near Coast: Video
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 Philippines has released footage of its coast guard intercepting a Chinese civilian research vessel amid the ship's dayslong presence in the United States ally's maritime zone. The Philippine coast guard accused the vessel of "conducting unauthorized marine scientific research activities," marking the latest point of contention in the neighbors' territorial dispute. Newsweek reached out to the Chinese Foreign Ministry and the Philippine coast guard for comment. Why It Matters Under international maritime law, foreign-flagged ships are permitted to sail through another nation's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) but cannot exploit natural resources or carry out marine scientific research without permission. China claims upwards of 90 percent of the South China Sea, conflicting with the overlapping claims of several neighbors, including the Philippines. Beijing's expanding presence within the Philippine EEZ—comprising coast guard, paramilitary, and naval vessels—has faced stiff resistance from the U.S. defense-treaty ally, at times leading to dramatic confrontations. What To Know On Monday morning, the 340-foot Tan Suo San Hao, or Discovery No. 3, was located some 106 miles off the coast of the northern Philippine province of Ilocos Norte, Philippine spokesperson Jay Tarriela wrote Monday on X (formerly Twitter). The Philippine coast guard deployed one of its largest ships, the BRP Teresa Magbanua, and an aircraft to observe, challenge, and escort the vessel out of the zone. The 340-foot Chinese research vessel the Discovery No. 3 operating within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone on May 5, 2025. The 340-foot Chinese research vessel the Discovery No. 3 operating within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone on May 5, 2025. Philippine Coast Guard Footage shows a crew member aboard the Teresa Magbanua hailing the Chinese vessel by radio, informing it that its actions were inconsistent with freedom of navigation and ordering it to halt its "illegal activities." According to Tarriela, the Chinese ship ignored the coast guard's radio broadcast. Separate footage posted by the coast guard on Tuesday shows the Discovery No. 3 retrieving what appears to be the deep-sea submersible Shenhai Yong Shi, or Deep-Sea Warrior, and dispatching personnel aboard a rigid-hull inflatable boat to recover a yellow, tube-shaped object from the water. The state-affiliated Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering operates both Discovery No. 3 and the submersible. The manned deep-diving vehicle can reach depths of up to 4,500 meters (approximately 14,760 feet). The Chinese ship was operating near Balikatan, the largest annual joint military exercise between the U.S. and the Philippines. This year, the U.S. drew China's ire after deploying the NMESIS anti-ship missile system for the first time on a far-north Philippine island in strategic Luzon, a location the U.S. views as a critical chokepoint in the event of a conflict with China—particularly over Taiwan, the self-ruled island Beijing claims is its territory. China's Foreign Ministry issued a warning to "those who would play with fire" on the Taiwan issue and said the drills and deployment of strategic weapons foment regional instability. Although Beijing insists these oceanic research ships serve civilian purposes, security analysts suspect they are also being used to collect intelligence for China's military, citing instances of unusual behavior and Beijing's history of relying on dual-use assets. What People Are Saying Collin Koh, a senior fellow at Singapore's Institute of Defense and Strategic Studies, on X: "Smoking gun of the PRC [People's Republic of China] research vessel conducting unauthorized marine scientific research with its deep-sea bathyscaphe deployed, and the Philippines exercising its EEZ sovereign right to challenge and escort the vessel away." Monty Khanna, retired rear admiral with the Indian Navy, wrote for the New Delhi-based National Maritime Foundation think tank in March: "China's investment in [manned deep-dives] continues to grow as exemplified by its announced project to build a deep-sea research center permanently stationed at a depth of 2,000 meters. "Continued research in this field will give China a head start to commercially exploit seabed resources as and when norms to do so get established. The dual-use nature of such submersibles also needs to be kept in mind, particularly in the context of interfering with undersea fiber-optic cables, the incidents of which have witnessed a sharp increase over the last two years." What Happens Next China has yet to respond to the Philippine coast guard's reports, and it's unclear how long the Discovery No. 3 will depart the Philippine EEZ. The Balikatan drills are set to conclude on Saturday.
South China Morning Post
28-04-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Why Sandy Cay matters: Philippines and China stake rival claims in South China Sea dispute
A symbolic battle over flags on a disputed reef has reignited tensions between China and the Philippines , exposing the challenges to achieving maritime stability even as Beijing pledges to complete a long-delayed Code of Conduct aimed at preventing conflict in the South China Sea Advertisement Two weeks after Chinese coastguard personnel posed with their national flag on Sandy Cay – asserting 'indisputable sovereignty' over the reef, which it refers to as Tiexian Jiao – Philippine navy, coastguard and police units mounted a counter-mission on Sunday, unfurling their own flags on three cays that form part of the feature. The Philippine team, using four motorised rubber boats, disembarked at Pag-asa Cay 1, Cay 2 and Cay 3 before sunrise. Their success was evidence that China's earlier claims of control were misleading, according to Commodore Jay Tarriela, spokesman for the Philippine Coast Guard on South China Sea issues. 'This is clear evidence that China's narrative is only intended to counter our factual narrative that we can actually go to these cays,' Tarriela said in a radio interview on Monday. An aerial view of Philippine scientists inspecting Sandy Cay reef. Photo: AFP / Philippine Coast Guard China has not disclosed precisely when its flag-raising operation took place, but state television and the Global Times have aired footage showing Chinese personnel planting the national flag on Sandy Cay. Advertisement
