February 12 ------ The Philippine Navy confirmed Tuesday that the Chinese fisheries research vessel Lan Hai 101 complied with protocols while sailing through the country’s archipelagic waters in the Sulu Sea. According to Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, the vessel—one of China's largest fisheries research ships chose to traverse the Sulu Sea to avoid bad weather west of Palawan. “This particular research vessel complied with established protocols when responding to challenges,” said Trinidad in a press briefing.
The Lan Hai 101 came from Port Klang, Malaysia, and was en route to Shandong, China. It passed east of Palawan due to unfavorable weather conditions. The Philippine Navy deployed BRP Andres Bonifacio, alongside the Philippine Coast Guard vessel BRP Melchora Aquino, to escort the ship. Former US Air Force official and ex-Defense Attaché Ray Powell first reported the vessel’s presence in Philippine waters via the Sulu Sea on Monday morning. Trinidad noted that Philippine forces challenged Lan Hai 101 off Balabac, Palawan, on Sunday afternoon. “They provided their last and next ports of call, the skipper’s name, and confirmed 56 crew members aboard. They were transiting our archipelagic sea lanes due to inclement weather,” he said.
The Navy official meanwhile emphasized that the vessel’s passage was permissible under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). As of Tuesday morning, Lan Hai 101 was near Lubang Island. Meanwhile, Chino Gaston reported on 24 Oras that the Chinese vessel was expected to reach Northern Luzon before midnight.
Under the doctrine of innocent passage, any vessel may pass through a country’s territorial or archipelagic waters as long as it moves continuously. However, according to Ray Powell, the vessel’s passage through the Philippines' archipelagic seas could indicate that China disregards the country’s archipelagic sea lanes. He also suggested that China might be conducting a signal and electronic intelligence operation.
Source: gmanetwork.com
Comments