MANILA, Philippines — Deputy Majority Leader Erwin Tulfo has filed a resolution asking for the enhancement of routine patrols over the country’s waters, after another Chinese research vessel was seen near the eastern coast.
Tulfo in a privilege speech on Monday revealed that he filed House Resolution (HR) No. 1707, asking the House to urge the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) “to station appropriate personnel and conduct enhanced routinary patrols and maritime surveillance in the eastern seaboard of the Philippines”.
READ: Unauthorized presence of Chinese research ship seen off Catanduanes
“It seems Chinese vessels can freely enter and stay whatever time it is over our waters. Can you imagine, China is now loitering and targeting over the eastern part of the country — like the Benham Rise at Catanduanes area. And for the intention to be discreet, they are sending out research vessels for now,” Tulfo warned lawmakers during the session.
So far from China, WPS
“This is so far from China because this is on the eastern seaboard of the country, and this is far from the West Philippine Sea. This is a sign that they are preparing to occupy the eastern part of the Philippines just like how they occupied the entire West Philippine Sea,” said Tulfo who is also ACT-CIS party-list representative.
Last April 28, the AFP reported that a research vessel carrying China’s flag was seen near the northeastern tip of Viga, Catanduanes.
READ: Research vessel in eastern PH turns off tracking system – PH military
AFP said the vessel, named “Shen Kuo” was first spotted last April 25, about 60.9 nautical miles east off Rapu-Rapu Island in Albay.
Prior to this, the same boat passed through Itbayat and Basco in Batanes province before loitering near Catanduanes according to PCG.
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Tracking system turned off
According to AFP, they tried to contact the vessel but Philippine authorities got no response. Later on, it was discovered that the research vessel turned off its tracking system, possibly to avoid detection.
On May 1, the AFP eventually said that there were three more similar Chinese research vessels discovered within the Philippines’ waters — all spotted within the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Tulfo said the government should already act on China’s aggressive actions or risk sending wrong signals to Beijing — that the Philippines feels fine with these intrusions.
“We have to act now to prevent another Chinese aggression (in) our territory […] If we continue to allow Chinese vessels in that part of our country, we might send (the) wrong signal to China that we really cannot protect our territory, Mr. Speaker,” Tulfo said.
“We must act now before the Chinese Coast Guard and Chinese Militia take over our exclusive economic zone in the pacific ocean,” he added.
This is not the first time that Chinese vessels were seen over the eastern waters of the country. Last March, research vessels also carrying China’s flag — Haiyang Dizhi Liuhao and Haiyang Dizhi Liuhao — were spotted 800 nautical miles east of Casiguran, Aurora.
Benham Rise, located east of Cagayan Valley, is not part of China’s nine-dash line claim unlike the WPS.