PCG drives Chinese research vessel out of Philippine EEZ off Batanes

ASM, Philippine Canadian Inquirer
October 02, 2026

Photo courtesy: Jay Tarriela | X Account

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Coast Guard said it successfully forced a Chinese research vessel to leave the country’s exclusive economic zone off Batanes after four days of monitoring and radio challenges.

The Jia Hai Ke 7 had been holding position about 37 to 38 nautical miles northwest of Itbayat, Batanes, since the PCG confirmed its presence on Sept. 28. The Coast Guard said the vessel’s movement pattern was consistent with marine scientific research rather than ordinary passage. 

On Oct. 1, the PCG deployed the BRP Teresa Magbanua and an Islander aircraft to the area. The Philippine vessel approached the Jia Hai Ke 7 to within about 100 yards, launched a rigid-hull inflatable boat and issued repeated radio challenges while the aircraft conducted a maritime domain awareness flight overhead. 

The PCG said the Chinese research ship repeatedly maneuvered during the operation before eventually leaving its position and moving north around noon. The BRP Teresa Magbanua continued shadowing the vessel to ensure it exited the Philippine EEZ. 

A China Coast Guard vessel, CCG-2503, also arrived during the operation and issued radio challenges to the Philippine ship. The PCG said the involvement of the Chinese coast guard was notable because Jia Hai Ke 7 is privately owned.

Rear Adm. Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said the Department of Foreign Affairs had confirmed that the Philippine government had not granted permission for the vessel to conduct marine scientific research in the area. 

Under Article 246 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, marine scientific research within a coastal state’s exclusive economic zone must be conducted with that state’s consent. 

The PCG also raised concerns over what information the vessel may have been collecting, noting that waters around Batanes and the Luzon Strait contain important submarine cable routes. The Coast Guard said the vessel’s activities raised questions about possible seabed surveying, although it has not publicly presented evidence establishing exactly what data Jia Hai Ke 7 collected. 

China rejected the Philippine account.

The Chinese Embassy in Manila said Jia Hai Ke 7 was conducting what it described as normal operations in waters under China’s jurisdiction and accused Philippine authorities of harassment. Beijing maintains that China and the Philippines have overlapping maritime claims in the area and has called for disputes to be addressed through negotiations. 

The Philippines, meanwhile, maintains that the waters where the vessel was monitored are within its EEZ and that unauthorized marine scientific research there requires Manila’s consent under international law.