Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 5) — China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels conducted “dangerous maneuvers” to block two Philippine ships on a resupply mission at Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea last week, a move lambasted by some Filipino senators on Tuesday.
According to a former US senior defense official, CCG ships were “in position to interdict” the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels escorting small resupply boats.
“China responded with an armada of two coast guard and seven militia ships, plus one other 90-meter probable navy or coast guard ship,” Raymond Powell, project lead at the Gordion Knot Center for National Security Innovation, said in a series of tweets over the weekend.
“After the resupply, the two CCG ships pursued the PCG ships to the east. CCG 3103, which had just arrived from Scarborough Shoal, then returned to China’s nearby military base at Mischief Reef. CCG 4203 has resumed its patrol of Sabina Shoal,” he added.
1/June 30, 0930 local time: 🇵🇭#Philippines Coast Guard ships BRP Malabrigo & BRP Malapascua, escorting a small-boat resupply mission to the 🇵🇭’s outpost aboard BRP Sierra Madre, were met by an armada of 🇨🇳#China Coast Guard & militia ships, plus a possible navy vessel. [🧵1/3] https://t.co/zMRTADsEhp pic.twitter.com/45JPfBR7FC
— Ray Powell (@GordianKnotRay) July 1, 2023
Powell claimed that the incident happened “within the Philippines’ internationally recognized exclusive economic zone.”
The incident was confirmed by PCG spokesperson for the West PH Sea Jay Tarriela during a briefing on Wednesday.
Tarriela said six Chinese maritime militia vessels were trying to block their entry into the Ayungin Shoal as they were supporting the operations of the Navy. Two more People’s Liberation Army Navy ships were spotted, he noted.
However, he clarified that the Philippine ships were not pursued.
The official also said that the PCG issued radio challenges, stressing that the Ayungin Shoal is part of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
“Sila ay (They were) not supposed to be in our exclusive economic zone. And they are carrying out dangerous maneuvers and they are violating the convention on the prevention of collision regulation,” he said.
“Ang Philippine Coast Guard ay nakaalis sa Ayungin nang maayos, walang naging masyadong escalation of tension,” Tarriela added.
[Translation: The Philippine Coast Guard was able to leave Ayungin safely, with no real escalation of tensions.]
In a statement, Senator Risa Hontiveros said the latest aggression of China in WPS was “reckless and irresponsible.”
She also said this showed China’s “complete disrespect of international law.”
The legislator called on the Marcos administration to raise the issue to the United Nations General Assembly.
“I hope that the Senate can tackle my resolution regarding this as soon as session resumes, as we need the support of the wider international community to stop China’s unbridled aggression,” Hontiveros said.
Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada, meanwhile, said he was “deeply concerned” about the reported incident.
“[T]his violates our sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as endangers the safety and security of our maritime forces,” he said.
Estrada urged the government to “pursue all available legal and diplomatic avenues to address this issue and seek appropriate remedies.”
Despite intimidation from China, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said in May that “disengagement is not really an option” as his government pursues establishing lines of communication with the Chinese government.
