THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has detected the unauthorised presence of a Chinese-flagged research vessel northeast of Viga in Catanduanes, which faces the Philippine Sea, reports Manila's GMA Integrated News.

The vessel Shen Kuo was 60.9 nautical miles east off Rapu-Rapu Island in Albay.

The vessel was found to be lying-to in the area and had no personnel on the main deck, based on the latest reports from the maritime patrol of the Tactical Operations Wing Southern Luzon (TOWSOL) on Saturday, April 27.

"Several attempts to contact the vessel through regular channels were unsuccessful, indicating a lack of responsiveness or willingness to engage,§ the AFP said.

※The AFP remains vigilant, monitoring any unauthorised research vessel in our maritime domain. We have already tasked nearby vessels for enhanced surveillance and reporting,§ it said.