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PCG: China research vessel sailed near Luzon at 'suspicious' distance
The Philippine Navy confirmed that the Chinese research vessel Lan Hai 101 complied with protocols while traversing archipelagic waters in the Sulu Sea, en route from Malaysia to China.
The Philippine Navy deployed BRP Andres Bonifacio and BRP Melchora Aquino to escort the Chinese vessel, which navigated through the Sulu Sea to avoid adverse weather.
A China Coast Guard (CCG) ship, CCG-3304, shadowed Lan Hai 101 after Philippine vessels departed.
PCG ship BRP Cabra had to leave its post shadowing CCG-3304 off Zambales to escort Lan Hai 101.
CCG-3304 followed Lan Hai 101 northward and reached 43 nautical miles off the coast of Bolinao, Pangasinan, before the Chinese research vessel turned off its AIS.
The Philippine Coast Guard expressed suspicion over Lan Hai 101's movement, noting it appeared to be "following the contour" of the Luzon coastline at a precise distance of 24 to 25 nautical miles.
PCG spokesperson Jay Tarriela stated that this movement deviated from innocent passage, as the vessel maintained a specific distance while traversing the contiguous zone.
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