A Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) ship was spotted ''just outside Manila Bay'' days after the dangerous collision between Chinese ships in Scarborough Shoal last Aug. 11.

In his X (Twitter) post on Friday, retired US Air Force Col. Ray Powell of the Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation Project Myoushou at the Stanford University, said China Coast Guard vessel 3306 was monitored "just outside Manila Bay".

He said CCG 3306 was waiting for Philippine Coast Guard vessel BRP Cape San Agustin to emerge from Manila Bay.

"China seems determined to intercept and escort any Philippine ship moving in Scarborough Shoal's general direction," he said.

Powell also described what he called "a surprise and unusual development" as "China's research ship Xiang Yang Hong 10 has deployed to Scarborough Shoal".

"It left Fiery Cross Reef on 12 August (the day after the collision) and just arrived 1 km south of Scarborough this morning. Its purpose there is unknown, but its capabilities include deep-sea surveying, resource exploration and deploying autonomous underwater vehicles," he added. Robina Asido/DMS