Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 27) — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Sunday reported a “close distance maneuvering” of a Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel in Bajo de Masinloc and condemned it as a “violation” of regulations for preventing collisions.
In a statement, the PCG said the incident happened while BRP Malabrigo was patrolling on March 2.
“Coast Guard personnel have monitored a CCG vessel with bow number 3305 that conducted a close distance maneuvering of approximately 21 yards towards BRP Malabrigo (MRRV-4402) while the said PCG vessel was sailing at the vicinity waters off Bajo de Masinloc,” the PCG added.
The PCG also noted that the incident resulted in limiting the maneuvering space of BRP Malabrigo, which was “a clear violation of the 1972 International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea.”
When the media asked the PCG why it only released the report three weeks after the incident, the agency explained that they only received the “go signal for the release” on Sunday.
PCG Commandant Artemio Abu said that March 2 incident was the fourth time the PCG vessels had a close encounter with the CCG ships in disputed waters. One incident happened in May 2021 and two incidents happened in June last year.
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“The behavior of the involved CCG vessels increased the risk of collision with four of our capital ships. Hence, we immediately coordinated with the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea and the Department of Foreign Affairs to address this issue through rules-based and peaceful approaches,” Abu said.
Abu added these “dangerous situations” will not stop the deployment of assets and personnel to Bajo de Masinloc and other parts of the exclusive economic zones of the Philippines.
