Manila: The Philippine government continues to monitor a Chinese research vessel to ensure it does not conduct a maritime survey in Philippine waters, the National Security Council (NSC) said Thursday. This development follows confirmation from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) regarding the deployment of its aircraft on Wednesday morning to challenge the presence of the Chinese research vessel 'Song Hang,' which was spotted 58 nautical miles east of Aborlan, Palawan.

According to Philippines News Agency, in a Palace press briefing, National Security Council Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya stated that the Chinese vessel was approximately 48.65 nautical miles northeast of Tambisan Island in Sabah, Malaysia, as of 7:30 a.m. Thursday. Malaya emphasized that the vessel is currently outside the archipelagic waters of the Philippines. He noted that the Coast Guard is maintaining maritime patrols of the vessel to ensure it adheres to its route and refrains from conducting any maritime survey within Philippine waters.

Malaya highlighted that while foreign vessels are allowed innocent passage under international law, conducting a maritime survey in Philippine waters is not permissible. He mentioned that the BRP Malapascua (MRRV-4403) is actively shadowing the Chinese research vessel to ensure compliance.

'The Philippine Coast Guard is being vigilant. They are continuously doing maritime patrol to ensure that this does not happen,' Malaya stated, reinforcing the country's stance on protecting its maritime sovereignty.