The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is looking to establish a base in Catanduanes to help boost the country’s response to territorial incursions and other maritime-related incidents in the region.

PCG Commodore Jay Tarriela said such a base would create a jump-off point for PCG vessels and cut the PCG’s response time.

“The PCG can immediately deploy our assets and drive away watercraft engaged in activities that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is not aware of,” he said during a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon interview over PTV on Tuesday.

To date, he said PCG ships headed to Catanduanes would need to come from Subic, Pangasinan, or the Visayas area.

“The intention of [PCG Commandant, Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan] is to have a PCG base in Catanduanes to create a jump-off point for our vessels in case of territorial incursions by research vessels or whatever types of vessels of China or any other nationalities,” he said.

He added that the creation of such a base has received support from the House of Representatives.

The base is in response to the continued incursion of Chinese research vessels in the Philippine Rise (Benham Rise) — a resource-rich submerged landmass east of Luzon.

Last week, a Chinese research vessel was spotted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Catanduanes and later in Northern Samar.

Tarriela said the vessel deployed equipment allegedly used in hydrographic surveys.

“The important contribution of the PCG in monitoring this research vessel is the dark vessel detection of the Canadian government wherein we can pinpoint the location of these research vessels or any other vessels that are engaged in incursions in our exclusive economic zone (EEZ),” he said.

He said the Chinese ship was last spotted within the country’s EEZ on May 1.

On Monday, Deputy Majority Leader Erwin Tulfo filed a resolution seeking the enhancement of routine patrols in the country’s eastern seaboard after another Chinese research vessel was spotted in the area.

House Resolution No. 1707 urged the AFP and the PCG to station personnel and conduct enhanced routine patrols and maritime surveillance on the eastern coast.

In March, two Chinese research vessels were spotted in the northeastern corner of the Philippine Rise. (PNA)