A Chinese research vessel traversing seawaters near Mindoro island yesterday has prompted security concerns and a monitoring operation by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), as tensions continue in the disputed West Philippine Sea.

The vessel, identified as the Song Hang, claimed it was en route to the Indian Ocean for fishing purposes, but its unconventional path through Philippine archipelagic waters has raised suspicions among maritime experts.

PCG has expressed alarm that the vessel’s indirect route and behavior may indicate intelligence-gathering activities, such as mapping the seabed or collecting electronic signals.

PCG deployed aircraft and vessels to monitor the Chinese ship, issuing radio challenges questioning its purpose and warning against unauthorised activities in Philippine waters.

While the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) permits innocent passage through archipelagic waters, experts suggest the Song Hang’s activities may fall outside these parameters.

According to maritime law experts, the vessel’s actions may not align with the principle of innocent passage as defined by UNCLOS, which has specific requirements for ships transiting through another nation’s waters.

Security experts have suggested the Song Hang might serve dual civilian-military purposes, potentially capable of gathering intelligence that could have military applications.