PCG ship drives out Chinese research vessel

THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) intercepted and escorted out of the country a Chinese vessel conducting unauthorized marine scientific research within the country's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) near Ilocos Norte, officials said on Wednesday.

The incident comes amid heightened concerns over China's increasing presence near Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal), with the National Security Council (NSC) warning that any Chinese construction in the area would cross Manila's "red line."

The PCG's BRP Teresa Magbanua monitored the Chinese research vessel Tansuo 3 on May 1 off Burgos, Ilocos Norte, where it was allegedly conducting illegal deep-sea mapping operations. By Monday evening, the PCG had driven the vessel out of Philippine waters.

PCG spokesman for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said that Tansuo 3 — one of China's largest and most modern research vessels — was accompanied by a manned submersible, the Shanghai Yongshi (Deep Sea Warrior), capable of diving up to 4,500 meters.

"The deployment of BRP Teresa Magbanua and our Coast Guard aircraft successfully prevented the Chinese government from conducting unauthorized marine scientific research in our EEZ," Tarriela said. "This is worrisome because deep-sea mapping could support submarine navigation, which poses a security risk."

The NSC earlier issued a stern warning against any Chinese infrastructure construction in Bajo de Masinloc, which lies within the Philippines' EEZ.

Citing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s policy of not yielding an inch of territory, the NSC declared that any such attempt would be treated as a serious provocation.

"Any attempt by China to construct facilities in Bajo de Masinloc will be met with a firm response," the NSC said.

Recent reports from SeaLight, a transparency initiative tracking developments in the South China Sea, indicate an increased presence of Chinese vessels near the shoal, raising fears of a possible reclamation effort similar to China's past actions in the South China Sea.

From January 2024 to March 2025, the PCG conducted 130 maritime patrols, 33,000 marshaling operations, and arrested nearly 600 individuals for illegal activities.

The PCG said it is finalizing its report on the Tansuo 3 incident for submission to the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea.