The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Tuesday said it drove away a Chinese vessel conducting illegal research in waters north of the Philippines, where it was seen retrieving a deep-sea exploration craft. Authorities said the Chinese research vessel Tan Suo 3 did not respond to radio challenges while it was reeling a submersible vessel capable of deepsea dives after it was intercepted on Monday by BRP Teresa Magbanua , the PCG’s biggest ship. The Chinese research vessel was detected about 90 nautical miles (166 kilometers) off the coast of Ilocos Norte province, where it was conducting “illegal” marine research, PCG spokesman Jay Tristan Tarriela told a news briefing.

Basilio, K. C. L. (2025, May 7). Philippines expels Chinese ship for 'illegal' research near Ilocos coast. BusinessWorld, p. S1/12.