The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has detained 13 undocumented Chinese nationals aboard a dredging vessel off the coast of Bataan, sparking concerns over potential retaliatory measures from Beijing against Filipinos working in China, according to experts. 

These concerns also highlight growing tensions over China’s increasing presence in the West Philippine Sea.

West Philippine Sea refers to the waters in the Philippines’ 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone, not the whole of the South China Sea.

PCG spokesman for the West Philippine Sea, Jay Tarriela, disclosed that the agent of the dredger vessel Harvest 89 informed authorities on November 26 of its impending departure to San Felipe, Zambales, for dredging operations.

“However, when the PCG attempted to board the vessel for a pre-departure inspection and to secure the Master’s Declaration of Safe Departure (MDSD), the agent denied entry, claiming that all necessary documentation was in order. This prompted our personnel to perform a more detailed inspection,” Tarriela said.

The PCG composite team discovered nine undocumented Chinese crew members without proper documentation during the inspection. A follow-up investigation uncovered four additional undocumented Chinese nationals who had been hiding on board.

PCG personnel also found “a uniform resembling that of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA)” on board, raising significant concerns about the intentions of these undocumented individuals, Tarriela said.

The PCG referred the case to “relevant government agencies to investigate the circumstances surrounding the presence of these Chinese nationals” and began efforts to pursue legal action and secure the custody of the individuals.

“This operation underscores the PCG’s steadfast commitment to safeguarding maritime borders and ensuring the safety and security of the country’s waters,” Tarriela emphasized. 

He vowed: “We will continue our vigilant inspections and take necessary actions to address any violations of maritime laws.”

Uniform resembling that of the PLA (People’s Liberation Army) on board the dredger Harvest 89.

Dredging vessel Harvest 89.

Subi Reef as China’s strategic hub 

Meanwhile, the Philippine Navy has raised alarms over the escalating presence of Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea.

Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, revealed that China has turned Subi Reef — a man-made naval base — into a central anchoring hub for its ships.

Trinidad reported that dozens of Chinese military, coast guard and maritime militia vessels continue to operate near Ayungin Shoal, Escoda Shoal, and Pag-asa Island.

Former U.S. Air Force official Ray Powell, citing Marine Traffic data, reported on X on November 28 that “at least 83 Chinese militia and fishing ships” were present within the territorial waters of Pag-asa Island.

“We have observed their maritime militia continuing to gather near Pag-asa through Subi Reef and Mischief Reef,” Trinidad said. “These features serve as safe harbors, which explains the significant concentration of maritime militia ships, along with PLA Navy and Chinese Coast Guard vessels, in these areas.”

Trinidad attributed this development to China’s reclamation activities, which began in 2014, transforming Subi Reef into a fully operational naval base. Subi Reef now features a runway, ports, storage facilities, and radar domes, providing a strategic advantage to Chinese forces.

He noted that Chinese forces have restricted Philippine vessels from accessing Subi Reef since it became a naval base. “When they started reclamation and turned Subi Reef into a naval base, they placed it off-limits to us,” Trinidad said.

Despite the restrictions, the Philippine Navy continues to monitor and document Chinese activities in the area, submitting reports to the Department of Foreign Affairs for appropriate action.

AFP carries out 54 patrols in West Philippine Sea

Earlier, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reported that its air and naval assets have carried out 54 patrol missions in the West Philippine Sea from November 1 to 25 this year as part of ongoing efforts to assert country’s sovereignty in the region.

These patrols came at a time of heightened tensions due to China’s activities and were seen as a necessary response to safeguard national interests.

AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla underscored the significance of these missions, saying: “These successful missions highlight our commitment to safeguarding our nation’s maritime interests.”

The AFP’s naval assets conducted three sealift missions, 13 maritime patrols/sovereignty patrols, one maritime surveillance patrol, one search and rescue operation, and one rotation and resupply mission.

“Meanwhile, our naval and air force aircraft executed four maritime air surveillance/intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (MAS/ISR) operations, along with 30 maritime patrols (MARPAT), and one search and rescue (SAR) operation,” Padilla added.

Padilla emphasized that these patrols further strengthened the AFP’s commitment to protecting the West Philippine Sea, ensuring support for operations like maritime domain awareness, search and rescue, and resupply missions.

“The AFP stands resolute in its mandate to uphold territorial integrity, maritime sovereignty, and regional stability while serving and protecting the interests of all Filipinos,” she said.

All photos credit: Commodore Jay Tarriela

Top photo: Thirteen undocumented Chinese nationals aboard the dredger vessel “Harvest 89” were found during a pre-departure inspection by the PCG in Mariveles, Bataan on November 26, 2024.