The Philippines sent warships and aircraft to drive away a suspicious Chinese maritime transfer ship near Ibaya Island and received cover from the Chinese Coast Guard.

The Philippine Coast Guard dispatched its largest patrol ship, the Melchola Aquino, and an aircraft to the waters off Ibaya Island to drive away suspicious Chinese ships. Schematic diagram of the Melchola Aquino, which has nothing to do with this news. (AFP)

A Chinese suspicious sea transfer vessel "JIA HAI KE 7" continued to operate on the Itbayat Island between Taiwan and the Philippines this week. Island), which is only 156 kilometers away from Eluanbi and 132 kilometers away from Orchid Island. The Philippine Coast Guard dispatched its largest patrol ship today (1st) to drive away the suspicious vessel. During the process, the Chinese Coast Guard vessel intervened in an attempt to cover the "Jiahaike 7", which made the Philippines suspect that the motive was impure.

According to Reuters, Jay Tarriela, spokesman for the Philippine Coast Guard's South China Sea affairs, announced that it will dispatch its largest patrol ship "Mergeura Aquino" (BRP Teresa Magbanua) and an aircraft to the waters off Ibaya Island to drive away suspicious Chinese ships.

Tarriera pointed out that the Chinese maritime transfer ship "Jiahaike 7" has been staying about 37 nautical miles northwest of Ibaya Island since September 28. During the wandering period, it also forged the ship's positioning information, and its behavior was quite suspicious.

The "Mercora Aquino" approached the "Jiahaike 7" only about 100 yards (91 meters) away, issued a warning to the other party through the radio, lowered a rigid-shell inflatable boat (RHIB), and made several rounds to maneuver the ship.

Subsequently, a Chinese Coast Guard ship arrived at the scene, tried to cover the "Jiahaike 7", and issued a radio warning to the Philippine ship. The Philippine Coast Guard pointed out that the involvement of the Chinese coast guard ship in the matter was "of great significance" because the "Jiahaike 7" is a privately owned vessel. The official Chinese ship provided cover, raising questions about the relationship between the research vessel and the Chinese government. It also raised questions about what data it collected in the submarine cable corridor off the Batanes Islands and near the Luzon Strait, and what purposes the data might be used for.

The Philippine Coast Guard stated that relevant operations are still ongoing, but the Philippines has successfully forced the "Jiahaike 7" to leave the position where it originally lingered for a long time. The Melchola Aquino is still continuously monitoring the ship to ensure that it leaves the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The Philippines pointed out that the Chinese Embassy in Manila has not immediately responded to requests for comment.