NEWS

China performs ‘dangerous maneuvers’ vs Phl vessels anew—AFP

Lade Jean Kabagani · Oct 16, 2023, 5:40 PM

FILE: This photo taken on 20 September 2023 shows a Philippine fisherman aboard his outrigger boat sailing past a Chinese coast guard ship near the Chinese-controlled Scarborough Shoal in waters of the disputed South China Sea. China, which claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, snatched control of Scarborough Shoal from the Philippines in 2012. Since then, it has deployed coast guard and other vessels to block or restrict access to the fishing ground that has been tapped by generations of Filipinos. (Photo by Ted ALJIBE / AFP)

The Armed Forces of the Philippines reported that one of its transport vessels, the BRP Benguet, issued "consecutive radio challenges" to a Chinese naval vessel for shadowing the Filipino ship near Pag-asa Island last Friday, 13 October.

"The Philippine Navy's BRP Benguet warned off and issued consecutive radio challenges to China's People's Liberation Army Navy 621 (PLAN 621) after it shadowed the former at an 80-yard distance and attempted to cross LS-507's bow with a CPA (closest point of approach) of 350 yards at 5.8 nautical miles southwest of Pag-asa Island on Friday, October 13," AFP public affairs office chief, Lt. Col. Enrico Gil Ileto, told reporters.

According to Ileto, the Philippine Navy vessel was en route to Rizal Reef Station for the conduct of a regular rotation and resupply mission when the incident happened.

The PN crew cited the violation of the Collision Regulations in its radio challenges and demanded that the Chinese vessel steer clear of the BRP Benguet.

Ileto noted Philippine Naval ship received a counter-response from PLAN 621 using their so-called and patently baseless "ten-dash line" narrative.

Meanwhile, AFP Western Command chief, Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos, has expressed dismay over China's untoward move against the Philippine ships.

"These [dangerous] maneuvers pose significant risks to maritime safety, collision prevention, and danger to human lives at sea. China must immediately halt these unsafe actions and conduct themselves in a professional manner by adhering to international law," he said.

AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner strongly urged China to stop their "dangerous maneuvers and aggressive actions towards Philippine vessels.

He said the potential for collision and accident at sea further highlights the urgency for China to uphold maritime safety standards.

"These dangerous and offensive maneuvers by China's PLAN not only risk collision but also directly endanger the lives of maritime personnel from both sides. 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," said Brawner.

The AFP slammed China's illegal presence and continued interference in the country's "legitimate" resupply mission in its territorial waters.

It added that China's conduct of aggressive maneuvers as well as any other similar activities "infringes upon the country's sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction are violations of international law."

The Philippines called on China to "immediately stop its illegal activities in the maritime zones" of the country.