China Coast Guard ship shadows PH research vessel

A CHINA Coast Guard (CCG) ship continued to shadow the Philippine research vessel conducting a hydrographic survey off Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) in the West Philippine Sea.

Based on the automatic identification system (AIS) by SeaLight, as of early Monday, April 15, CCG 5303 has cut its gap from BRP Hydrographer Ventura by sailing at least 1.6 nautical miles (NM) from the research vessel.

The Philippine Coast Guard's BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301) is close by, guarding BRP-H Ventura.

BRP H Ventura has made its initial turn in its survey path. The hydrographic survey started on April 13.

The CCG ship began shadowing the Philippine mission on Sunday and even tried to block the route to the survey area.