The Philippine Coast Guard deployed its largest vessel and an aircraft to challenge a Chinese research ship operating near Batanes, in an operation that forced the vessel to leave its position inside the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
The 97-metre BRP Teresa Magbanua was sent to the area after the Chinese-flagged research vessel JIA HAI KE 7 was detected about 37 nautical miles northwest of Itbayat Island. The research ship had reportedly remained in the area since September 28, prompting repeated radio challenges from Philippine authorities.
The Philippine Coast Guard said its operation disrupted what it described as unauthorized marine scientific research and compelled the Chinese vessel to leave its loitering position. The Teresa Magbanua moved to within about 100 yards of the research ship while a rigid-hull inflatable boat was deployed to circle the vessel as Philippine personnel continued issuing radio challenges.
The JIA HAI KE 7 had previously attracted attention after the Coast Guard accused it of deliberately spoofing its automatic identification system, or AIS, to conceal its actual movements. Authorities said the vessel’s reported track showed an impossible jump of more than 2,000 nautical miles between China and Papua New Guinea before it was detected near Batanes.
The Coast Guard said the vessel’s behaviour, including remaining in one area instead of maintaining a steady transit course, was consistent with marine scientific or seabed survey activity. The ship was detected approximately 38 nautical miles northwest of Itbayat, placing it within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
The location has added significance because waters around Batanes and the Luzon Strait contain important undersea communications routes. Philippine authorities have raised concerns that seabed surveys in the area could potentially gather information relevant to undersea infrastructure or have other strategic uses. These concerns were presented by the Coast Guard as part of its assessment of the vessel’s activities.
During the latest confrontation, the Chinese research vessel reportedly manoeuvred to avoid Philippine boats. A China Coast Guard ship subsequently arrived in the area and attempted to shield the research vessel, while also issuing radio challenges to the Philippine ship.
The presence of the Chinese coast guard vessel drew particular attention because JIA HAI KE 7 is described as a privately owned research ship. Philippine authorities said the involvement of a government vessel raised questions about the purpose of the research activity and the relationship between the private ship and Chinese authorities.
The Coast Guard said the Teresa Magbanua would continue monitoring JIA HAI KE 7 to ensure that it leaves the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. The operation comes amid continuing maritime tensions involving Philippine and Chinese vessels in waters around the Philippines and the wider region.
For Batanes, the incident underscores the strategic importance of the waters separating northern Luzon from Taiwan. The Philippines has continued to monitor foreign vessels operating in its maritime zones while asserting its rights under Philippine law and international maritime rules.
