ADVERTISEMENTShip tracking data suggested that CCG vessel 4201 shadowed survey ship Geo Coral and its support vessel Mariska G in northwest Palawan where Service Contract (SC) 75 is located. SC 75, which covers 6,160 square kilometers in the offshore northwest Palawan Basin, is operated by PXP Energy Corp., formerly Philex Petroleum Corp, which hired the two ships. A Philippine government official confirmed the SC 75 incident to the Inquirer on the condition of anonymity due to the issue’s sensitivity. China claims the entire South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea. His statements were the reason why the security cluster was hesitant to issue a go-signal for the oil survey activities, the official told the Inquirer.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer April 18, 2022 01:06 UTC