The Chinese ship detected in the Pacific was actually conducting a survey outside the Philippines 200-nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said yesterday. “Actually I’ve seen that survey ship and most of her area is outside of our EEZ in the Pacific ocean. Once in a while she’s sailing through our territorial waters but not for long,” Lorenzana said. The Philippines’ Coast Watch System has been actively monitoring the nation’s territorial waters in cooperation with friendly states and allies, like the US.

Laude, J. (2019, August 25). 'Chinese research ships sighted in Pacific but outside Phl'. The Philippine Star, p. 9.