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.’ ‘4’: ‘contentWidth’: ‘fit-content’ ’embedCode’: ‘
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
