Chinese coast guard ships near Manila Bay, escort BFAR vessel back to port

A Chinese Coast Guard ship was observed near Manila Bay on Friday morning, according to maritime security expert Ray Powell.

The CCG 5303 vessel escorted a Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) ship back to Sual Fish Port in Pangasinan after it had checked in on several areas including Reed Bank and Iroquois Reef.

Powell also noted the presence of another Chinese Coast Guard vessel, CCG 3306, which was waiting outside Manila Bay for the Philippine Coast Guard's BRP Cape San Agustin to emerge.

The Xiang Yang Hong 10 research ship from China had deployed to Scarborough Shoal from Fiery Cross Reef on August 12 with capabilities for deep-sea surveying and resource exploration.

As of Friday, three Chinese Coast Guard ships and eight Chinese maritime militia vessels were in the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc, marking a reduction since the temporary increase on August 5.