Chinese research vessels leave Recto bank

MANILA, Philippines — Two Chinese research vessels have left the vicinity of Recto (Reed) bank in the West Philippine Sea.

Navy chief Vice Adm.  Giovanni Carlo Bacordo assured that the two vessels: Xiang Yang Hong 14 and Haiyan Dizhi Hao 12 have sailed back to China after they were spotted loitering on Recto bank early this month.

Recto bank falls within the country’s exclusive economic zone. Bacordo said the research vessels had no clearance to be at Recto bank and that the incident would be cause for diplomatic protest.

—Jeanette I. Andrade