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Chinese research vessel under close watch by PN, PCG ships

Philippine News Agency

By Priam Nepomuceno
February 10, 2025, 8:43 pm

MANILA -- A ranking Philippine Navy (PN) official on Monday said naval and coast guard ships are keeping a close watch on the Chinese Research Vessel (CRV) Lan Hai 101, which was earlier detected navigating within the eastern waters of Palawan.

"On 09 February 2025, the CRV Lan Hai 101 was detected navigating within the eastern waters of Palawan. The presence of the vessel was swiftly identified by the Littoral Monitoring Station (LMS) Melville, which promptly issued a challenge regarding its presence in the Philippine waters," PN spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said in a message to the Philippine News Agency.

Trinidad said the crew of the CRV Lan Hai 101 passed through the eastern waters of Palawan as necessitated by adverse sea conditions on the western side.

He said the Chinese personnel aboard also assured LMS Melville that their ship would continue its transit while adhering to the rights of innocent passage through the Philippine archipelagic sea lanes, opting to exit near Coron, Palawan.

"To ensure the navigational safety and sovereignty of the region, the Western Command has deployed the PN vessel BRP Andres Bonifacio (PS-17) alongside the Philippine Coast Guard vessel BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702) to escort the CRV Lan Hai 101. This joint operation underscores the commitment of the PN to safeguard the maritime interests of the Philippines," he added.

Trinidad also maintained that the PN continues to uphold the sovereignty and security of the Philippine waters.

As of 5:50 p.m., the CRV Lan Hai 101 was at 19.05 nautical miles of Tinituan Island, Cuyo, Palawan.

"The Armed Forces of the Philippines remains vigilant in its efforts to monitor maritime activities in the vicinity and reaffirms its commitment to maintaining the safety and security of the Philippine archipelago. The deployment of naval and coast guard assets serves as a testament to the collaborative approach in addressing maritime challenges," he added. (PNA)