Manila, Philippines – In conjunction with the Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) flight of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the Philippine Coast Guard in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the presence of a Chinese research vessel towing a floating platform in the Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal was once again documented.
In a report shared by PCG Spokesperson for WPS Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela, the service boat was also spotted repositioning the floating barrier after the Chinese Research Vessel re-entered.
Even after the departure of the BFAR aircraft, the floating platform along with the Chinese research vessels remained in the waters within the country’s EEZ or exclusive economic zone.
According to Tarriela, this documentation is to show Filipinos over China’s continued illegal presence in the highly contested territory.
It also aims to show the international community and allied countries that China is once again violating the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), not adhering to the international rules-based order and posing a threat to peace and stability in the region.
THE MDA also spotted the presence of other Chinese ships in Philippine waters, including People’s Liberation Army Navy buoys, antennas, and China Coast Guard.
The Chinese embassy in Manila has not yet issued a new statement regarding the latest footage of CRVs and floating platforms in the WPS area.
The floating structure was first spotted on May 25, and it remains with Beijing’s research vessels in Scarborough Shoal.
Beijing has previously said that they are conducting research in the part of the ocean that China continues to claim.—Alvin Pelobello, Eurotv News