Philippine Vessels on Scientific Mission Harassed by Chinese Ships, Choppers

Tensions in the West Philippine Sea escalated as Chinese maritime forces allegedly harassed Philippine government vessels conducting a scientific survey near Sandy Cay, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

On January 24, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessels BRP Datu Pagbuaya and BRP Datu Bankaw, tasked with a marine scientific survey and sand sampling, faced aggressive actions from multiple Chinese Coast Guard ships and a Chinese Navy helicopter.

The BFAR vessels were intercepted by three Chinese Coast Guard ships—identified as 4106, 5103, and 4202—that executed “dangerous” maneuvers to block their path. Four smaller Chinese Coast Guard boats also targeted BFAR’s rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIBs), which were transporting personnel.

Manila claimed the situation escalated further when a People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) helicopter, identified by tail number 24, hovered at a dangerously low altitude over the RHIBs. The propeller wash created hazardous turbulence, significantly increasing the risk of accidents.

Commodore Jay Tarriela, the PCG’s spokesperson, described the incident as a “blatant disregard” for the 1972 Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs).

“The skilled seamanship of the BFAR crew prevented what could have been catastrophic accidents during these confrontations,” Tarriela said.

The aggressive actions forced BFAR and PCG to suspend their survey operations, abandoning plans to collect sand samples from Sandy Cay. Tarriela expressed regret over the halted mission but reaffirmed the agencies’ commitment to safeguarding Philippine maritime interests despite increasing risks.

Sandy Cay, located within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ), has been a focal point in ongoing maritime disputes with China. In 2023, crushed and dead corals were discovered in Sandy Cay 2, which experts linked to activities preceding potential reclamation projects. Previous incidents included injuries to Filipino researchers when a Chinese Navy helicopter flew dangerously low, scattering debris.

Environmental studies highlight Sandy Cay’s degraded condition, with low biodiversity and declining fish populations. Dr. Jonathan Anticamara from the University of the Philippines attributed this to overfishing, climate change, and human construction.

China’s extensive claims in the South China Sea, overlapping with the EEZs of several Southeast Asian nations, continue to fuel regional tensions. The latest incident underscores Beijing’s disregard for the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling that invalidated its sweeping claims.

The West Philippine Sea is a critical global trade route, valued at over $3 trillion annually, making stability in the region a matter of international importance.

Meanwhile, China has not commented on the Philippines’ latest allegations. On Friday, the China Coast Guard claimed that the Philippines dispatched a civilian vessel to resupply the grounded BRP Sierra Madre at Ren'ai Jiao after obtaining Chinese approval. China Coast Guard spokesperson Liu Dejun urged the Philippines to honor its commitments and cooperate with Beijing to maintain stability in the area. The BRP Sierra Madre, grounded in 1999, remains at Ren'ai Jiao despite the Philippines’ longstanding promise to remove it.