3 Chinese research vessels spotted in Ayungin Shoal — PH Navy

Three Chinese research vessels were spotted in Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on Thursday, according to the Philippine Navy on Tuesday.

In a press conference, Philippine Navy spokesperson for the WPS Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad said that this is the first time since last year that Chinese research vessels were spotted in Ayungin Shoal.

“We noticed in Ayungin Shoal three Chinese research or survey ships,” he said.

“Yes (it's the first time) in the not so distant past, in the near past, yes. Late last year. I could remember we have not recorded or reported any research vessels from China in Ayungin Shoal,” he added.

According to Trinidad, the three Chinese research vessels were “consistent” and “behaved.”

Trinidad noted that the presence of the Chinese ships coincided with the conduct of the annual joint military between the Philippines and United States or “Balikatan.”

“I view it as it coincided with Balikatan. It is their way of showing that they are not deterred, they are not scared by what is happening in the West Philippine Sea,” he said.

Earlier, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said research vessel Shen Kuo was also sighted in the eastern part of Philippine waters.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said the vessel departed from Shenzhen Port on April 13 and passed through Itbayat and Basco, Batanes on April 22.

It moved southward within 11 nautical miles off the coast of Mapanas, Northern Samar on April 25, before traveling north again until it reached the waters off Catanduanes where it was monitored by the AFP.

A day before Balikatan, a Chinese Type 815-class electronic surveillance ship, the Tianwangxing (793) shadowed US and Philippine vessels from a distance of three nautical miles.

Amid the start of the Balikatan exercises, the Philippine Navy also monitored a surge of 124 Chinese vessels in the WPS.—RF, GMA Integrated News