A Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) aircraft challenged a Chinese research vessel spotted operating off the coast of Sta. Ana, Cagayan on Saturday, August 2.
In a statement, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan ordered the PCG to deploy one of its aircraft for a Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) flight following the monitored presence of the Chinese research vessel Xiang Yang Hong 05.
"The PCG aircraft successfully conducted its MDA flight yesterday afternoon and physically sighted the Xiang Yang Hong 05 at a distance of 14.92 nautical miles from Babuyan Island," Tarriela said.
The PCG issued to challenge the Xiang Yang Hong 05 via radio, but received no response.
PCG monitoring revealed that the vessel initially departed Guangdong province, China, on June 5, 2025.
It entered the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) on June 7, roughly 130 nautical miles from Burgos, Ilocos Norte and exited on June 9 but returned on July 31, prompting renewed surveillance.
Between June 9 and July 31, the vessel was tracked conducting what appeared to be marine scientific research for nearly 22 days along a parallel route in the Pacific Ocean, around 42 nautical miles off Guam.
As of Sunday morning, the vessel was last detected via its Automatic Identification System (AIS) about 86 nautical miles from Calayan Island, Cagayan.
According to the PCG, the Xiang Yang Hong 05, a research vessel converted from a cargo ship, has raised concern among regional observers due to its operations in sensitive maritime areas.
The vessel has historical links to the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) and has been known to support naval missions, including missile tests and long-range surveillance.
"The Philippine Coast Guard remains committed to monitoring and protecting the nation's maritime jurisdiction, ensuring the safety and security of its waters against foreign vessels engaged in unauthorized and illegal maritime activities," Tarriela concluded.
PCG Conducts MDA Patrol to Monitor and Challenge Chinese Research Vessel
— Jay Tarriela (@jaytaryela) August 3, 2025
In a recent initiative to safeguard the nation’s maritime interests, Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, Commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), has ordered the deployment of a PCG aircraft to conduct a… pic.twitter.com/abzXwMr5bR
