Manila, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard is currently verifying reports regarding the presence of Chinese military hydrographic survey vessels within the Philippines’ maritime domain on September 11 according to Malacañang Palace on Thursday.
This follows a statement by Jose Antonio Goitia, Chairman of the “Filipinos Do Not Yield Movement,” regarding the allegedly alarming presence of the Hai Yang 23 Hao (also known as Qian Xuesen 873) and Hai Yang 24 Hao (also known as Deng Jiaxian 874), both of which are survey ships belonging to the People’s Liberation Army Navy.
Reportedly, the Hai Yang 23 was spotted approximately 1.15 nautical miles south of Galoc Island, Palawan, while the Hai Yang 24 was located 64.28 nautical miles west-northwest of Panatag Shoal, near submarine cable infrastructure.
Under Republic Act No. 12065, or the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act of 2024, foreign vessels conducting archipelagic sea-lanes passage require Philippine permission to carry out hydrographic or oceanographic surveys. UNCLOS also recognizes the Philippines’ jurisdiction over marine scientific research within its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Goitia urged the government to intensify monitoring of the country’s waters, noting that these are not ordinary civilian research vessels.
He emphasized the importance of determining what type of data—particularly regarding the seabed—is being collected by the ships, as such information could be utilized for various maritime operations. The Philippines reportedly should not be complacent regarding the vessels operating within its archipelagic sea lanes.
The presence of 48 Chinese Coast Guard and PLA Navy vessels in the West Philippine Sea was also reported September 8 to 14—a situation requiring the Philippines to continuously monitor and document the movements of these foreign maritime vessels.
Meanwhile, on September 11, the Department of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed the Philippines’ position regarding its sovereign rights and jurisdiction over certain maritime features in the West Philippine Sea, including Panganiban Reef and Zamora Reef.