Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. on Monday raised with United Kingdom Ambassador Laure Beaufils the territorial and sovereignty issues the country is facing with China's harassment in the West Philippine Sea.
Beaufils met with Brawner during a visit to AFP General Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
Brawner and Beaufils discussed enhancing the Philippine-UK defense partnership amid the illegal exercise by China of sovereignty in the WPS, which an arbitral ruling in 2016 declared to be part of the Philippines' 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone.
According to AFP Public Affairs chief Col. Enrico Gil Ileto, the two officials "agreed to be more vocal in common defense and diplomatic positions," particularly regarding the WPS.
"London has noticed the strong position and bold moves being made by the present administration in addressing the security challenges in the WPS amid China's dangerous, coercive, illegal and disruptive actions," Ileto said.
Brawner thanked the UK government for providing the Philippines with non-military assistance, including on climate change and environmental issues, Ileto added.
The Philippines will continue to conduct legitimate operations in its exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea amid China's aggressive actions against Filipino vessels.
Also on Monday, National Security Council member Jonathan Malaya said the recent shadowing, dangerous maneuvers, and radio challenges made by a Chinese vessel against Philippine Navy ships in the WPS were clear violations of the arbitral ruling.
Disturbing incident
In a Viber message on Monday, AFP spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar confirmed that the BRP Benguet, which was en route to the Rizal Reef Station for a regular rotation and resupply, was shadowed by China's PLA Navy Ship 621.
The incident happened from 1:40 p.m. to 5:04 p.m. on Friday, he added.
Aguilar said the Chinese warship attempted to cross the Benguet's bow with the closest point of approach of 350 yards at 5.8 nautical miles southwest of Pag-asa Island. He described the incident as "disturbing."
"In the exchange of challenges, our Navy personnel warned them that they were violating specific provisions of the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea," he said.
"Still, the act of deliberately attempting to cross the path of our vessel was irresponsible and unprofessional," he added.
Asked if the AFP still expects similar harassment by China in the future, Aguilar said: "It's up to them but such actions will only destroy their image further internationally."
Aguilar added that such "actions (by China) show how they disrespect international laws and conventions and reveal their blatant disregard for other people's lives."