PCG alleges ‘spoofing’ after China Coast Guard vessel tracked in Zambales, but actually in HK 

A Chinese Coast Guard vessel was tracked near San Felipe, Zambales last Tuesday, December 10, but the said vessel was actually spotted in Hong Kong. 

According to Joseph Morong’s report on “24 Oras” on Friday, a Chinese vessel with body number 21543 was caught in the AIS tracker that the residents use in monitoring dredging activities in their area.

The foreign ship was tracked beside MV An Da Kang owned by China Harbouring Engineering Company which delivers the sands used for the reclamation of Manila Bay. 

The residents reported the ship to the local Philippine Coast Guard in Zambales. However, the local Coast Guard noted something off. 

“We have located the vessel of concern but it is near Hong Kong yung sa Ghuangzhou nga. It could not have been in that particular location,” said PCG Zambales chief Capt. Eupharaim Diciano. 

“I would suggest unless someone in the area had a visual sighting of the vessel, it’s a glitch,” he added. 

The Philippines’ BRP Teresa Magbanua also caught the signal coming from CCG 21543. But when it went to the area, only three ships with Philippine flags were spotted. 

The PCG said that dredgers could be manipulating the AIS signal of CCG. 

“These are Chinese operated dredgers according to the report of the commanding officer of Magbanua, some of the crew are Filipino, some are Chinese nationals,” said Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea. 

According to PCG’s tracking, the CCG 21543 roamed in most parts of the world. This is a violation of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, the PCG said. 

The PCG added that it’s time to investigate dredging vessels that could be used in spying. 

“The Philippine Coast Guard has the authority to inspect and board these dredger vessels especially AIS is one of the requirements as part of the Solas convention,” said Tariella. 

GMA Integrated News sought the Chinese Embassy-Manila’s comment. 

Meanwhile, Philippine Ambassador to the UN Antonio Lagdameo earlier said that the country’s new laws - the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act - have strengthened the country’s sovereignty in its territorial waters. 

He added that the baselines released by China, which claims the Bajo de Masinloc, is a violation of the UNCLOS and threatens the international order.  —LDF, GMA Integrated News