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Navy monitoring 2 Chinese fishing boats off PH east coast

Philippine News Agency

By Priam Nepomuceno
October 29, 2024, 3:09 pm

MANILA -- The Philippine Navy (PN) on Tuesday said it is monitoring the presence of two Chinese fishing boats earlier reported as operating in the country's east coast near Aurora province.

"Yes, there are reports. We have monitored them. Not only them, but other maritime traffic within our exclusive economic zone (EEZ). And we are coordinating with the appropriate government agency on how to address this," PN spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad said at a media briefing in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

He added that the presence of these vessels were reported to the PN only on Monday night.

"I have to get the exact lat long (latitude and longitude) based on the report given to us last night, we have monitored their presence in the east coast of the country, as of this morning I have to get the exact latitude and longitude," Trinidad said.

Earlier reports said these fishing boats were spotted some 20 nautical miles from San Ildefonso Peninsula in Aurora's Casiguran town.

Trinidad said the incident is not alarming as fishing vessels of other nations are routinely spotted in the country's EEZ.

"This is not alarming. It's not only the Chinese fishing boats that we monitor. There are other fishing boats from other countries all over our EEZ, including ASEAN countries and the Pacific Island states," Trinidad said.

"All factors are considered. Their presence will also be dependent on the weather. So recently, just after the typhoon passed, we noted an increase in the presence of maritime traffic. Generally pag may typhoon, masama ang panahon (generally if there are typhoons, or bad weather, the number of maritime traffic decreases," he added.

Asked what the Chinese fishing boats were doing when monitored, Trinidad said they are doing nothing so far.

"We only give special attention if these are grey-hulled ships (naval vessels). If these are not grey-hulled ships, ships conducting fishing activities or others, we leave it to the proper government agency," he added. (PNA)