A Chinese research vessel was spotted in the northern part of Escoda Shoal in the West Philippine Sea on Saturday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported.
“As of 4 PM today, the Philippine Coast Guard has been actively monitoring the Multi-Purpose Oceanographic Research Vessel KE XUE SAN HAO through the Dark Vessel Detection Program,” PCG Spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said in a statement.
It also passed directly behind BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701) at approximately 5.5 nautical miles.
According to Tarriela, the vessel left Panganiban Reef on July 26 and passed through Ayungin Shoal, Raja Soliman Shoal, Bulig Shoal, Hasa Hasa Shoal, Abad Santos Shoal before reaching Escoda Shoal.
Ke Xue San Hao is designed by the Marine Design and Research Institute of China to conduct marine environment observation and analysis.
