The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) disclosed that its monitoring two Chinese research vessels that entered the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said Chinese research vessels Zhu Hai Yun and Xiang Yang Hong were detected 195.94 nautical miles and 192.95 nautical miles, respectively, off the coast of Rizal, Palawan.

Tarriela said the two vessels departed Guangdong Province last June 23.

According to Tarriela, they have yet to determine if the vessels deployed their underwater equipment “to prove that they are engaged in marine scientific research.”

“We have already alerted our CG district in Palawan and the commandant has also directed the deployment of a PCG vessel to ensure na ma-monitor natin ang ginagawa ng mga Chinese research vessel na ito. And if proven that they are actually conducting marine scientific research, we have to document this and submit this to proper authorities for us to act on these illegal activities of the People’s Republic of China,” he added.

Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), foreign vessels must obtain prior authorization from coastal states before conducting marine scientific research in their EEZs.

Tarriela said China Coast Guard (CCG) ships have returned to the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal after leaving due to bad weather in the past weeks.

Three CCG vessels with bow numbers 4203, 5303 and 3502 were back in the area as of Thursday morning.

Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad noted that no Chinese vessels were monitored in Bajo de Masinloc on July 19 and 20, at the height of the inclement weather due to severe tropical storm Crising and the enhanced southwest monsoon or habagat.

Bajo de Masinloc is located 124 nautical miles west of Zambales and is well within the Philippines’ 200-nautical mile EEZ.