Chinese research ship in east PH dropped equipment in Catanduanes

A Chinese-flagged research vessel, Shen Kuo, is spotted in the vicinity northeast of Viga, Catanduanes in this photo taken by Tactical Operations Wing Southern Luzon (TOWSOL) personnel of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) aboard a Nomad N-22 aircraft on April 27, 2024. TOWSOL PAF

The Chinese research vessel recently spotted in the east of the Philippines was showing erratic behavior and was caught lowering an equipment near Catanduanes, the Philippine Navy said Tuesday.

“Their erratic behavior or their erratic track is indicative of conducting studies or possibly maritime research for whatever reason,” Navy spokesperson for the WPS Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad said in a press conference.

“The Philippine Air Force on a maritime surveillance flight was able to get a picture of the ship lowering an unidentified equipment probably for scientific research or studies,” he added.

Trinidad said the Philippine Navy is still trying to identify the particular type of equipment the Chinese research vessel, Shen Kuo, used 100 miles east of Catanduanes.

As of the latest monitoring, Trinidad said Shen Kuo was spotted 30 nautical miles east of Samar.

These concerned waters are facing the Philippine Sea.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is planning to intercept the loitering Chinese research vessel by sending a ship to its location, Trinidad said.

The Navy tried to send a ship but it was canceled due to bad sea conditions, he added.

“We’re in close coordination with the PCG to be able to send a ship to respond. Naval Force West to send one but the ship had to turn back because of unfavorable sea conditions. The Coast Guard is looking for the most favorable time before it could send out a ship,” Trinidad said.

On Sunday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said the vessel Shen Kuo was first sighted on Thursday at 60.9 nautical miles east off Rapu-Rapu Island in Albay.

It was found to be lying-to in the area and had no personnel on the main deck, based on reports from the maritime patrol of the Tactical Operations Wing Southern Luzon on Saturday.

“Several attempts to contact the vessel through regular channels were unsuccessful, indicating a lack of responsiveness or willingness to engage,” the AFP said.

According to the PCG, the vessel departed from Shenzhen Port on April 13 and passed through Itbayat and Basco Batanes on April 22.

The vessel then moved southward within 11 nautical miles off the coast of Mapanas, Northern Samar on April 25, before traveling north again until it reached the waters off Catanduanes where it was monitored by the AFP, according to Tarriela.

The “loitering” of the Chinese-flagged research vessel came as more Chinese ships were seen shadowing the Philippines, the United States, and France naval vessels during the Balikatan joint military exercise in the West Philippine Sea on Sunday.

Recently, three more Chinese research vessels were also monitored in Ayungin Shoal in the WPS for the first time since last year.—AOL, GMA Integrated News

This article Chinese research ship in east PH dropped equipment in Catanduanes was originally published in GMA News Online.