PN warns off ‘shadowing’ Chinese vessel

A Philippine Navy vessel warned off a China Navy vessel for conducting "dangerous maneuvers" off Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea, the military said Sunday.

The Philippine Navy ship BRP Benguet (LS507) was on its way to Rizal Reef Station on a regular rotation and resupply mission when the Chinese vessel PLAN 621 allegedly tried to cross its bow at 350 yards.

The crew of the Benguet cited the Chinese vessel's violation of the Collision Regulations in its radio challenges, but PLAN 621 responded by citing its "ten-dash line" narrative.

The ten-dash line refers to a new map China has issued that shows its claims over nearly the entirety of the South China Sea, Taiwan and a state in India.

"These [dangerous] maneuvers pose significant risks to maritime safety, collision prevention, and danger to human lives at sea," said Western Command chief Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos.

"China must immediately halt these unsafe actions and conduct themselves in a professional manner by adhering to international law," he added.

AFP chief, General Romeo Brawner Jr., said the Chinese vessel's maneuvers endangered both Philippine and Chinese personnel.

"The AFP remains committed to ensuring the safety of its personnel during RoRe missions and asserts that it will continue to adhere to the rules-based international order," he said.

The Philippine military's warning to the Chinese vessel is the latest in a series of incidents that have raised tensions in the South China Sea, which overlaps with the WPS.