Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 6) — A Chinese vessel came at a dangerously close one-meter distance from a Philippine ship when it again tried to block Manila’s resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) bared on Friday.
Such a short distance between the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel 21156 and the BRP Sindangan during Wednesday’s incident could have resulted in a collision, as shown in a video which the PCG released to the media.
The PCG also reported that a ship of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, with bow number 630, approached BRP Sindangan within a distance of only 0.5 nautical miles “for the first time.”
It further observed that a PLA aircraft conducted surveillance in Sabina Shoal, only leaving when the resupply contingent arrived near Ayungin.
According to the PCG, four vessels of its Chinese counterpart were deployed to interfere with the mission, while five Chinese maritime militia vessels actively assisted.
It said the vessels performed a total of eight dangerous maneuvers.
On Thursday, the National Security Council reported that Manila’s resupply trip — which was for the delivery of fresh supplies to military personnel stationed at BRP Sierra Madre — was successful despite fresh attempts by the East Asian giant to “block, harass, and interfere.”
Last Aug. 5, the CCG fired water cannons on Philippine ships, halting the resupply mission. On Aug. 22, the Philippines finished the resupply trip despite continued harassment from China.
A resupply operation on Sept. 8 was similarly marred by Beijing’s dangerous maneuvers and harassment.
