Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 20) – Chinese authorities on Saturday issued a radio challenge to a Philippine flight carrying reporters while on its way to Pag-asa Island.
Both the pilots and the naval officers stationed in the area said it was not the first time such an incident occurred.
“Pag lalapit sila sir, tinatawagan namin. China-challenge namin sa radio,” said Commanding Officer Lt. Ryan Cellan of Naval Station Emilio Liwanag.
[Translation: If they will approach, we call them. We challenge them via radio.]
Pag-asa is one of the biggest islands occupied by the Philippines in the disputed Spratlys in the South China Sea.
Aerial footage taken during the flight also showed a number of Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea.
The presence of these ships often interferes in the work of local fishermen.
“Ninenerbiyos din pero teritoryo natin to sir e,” said Ronnie Cojamco, a Pag-asa fisherfolk leader. “Nandito po talaga ang malawak bahura na bahura na pwedeng pangisdaan, kaso nga po dahil ganon na ang sitwasyon, para maiwasan ang insidente na di naman natin inaasahan, kami na po ang kusang lumalayo.”
[Translation: We would get nervous too but this is our territory. This is a profitable area for fishing but since that is the situation, to avoid any incident that we do not want, we just stay away.]
Sen. Ping Lacson also visited the island and said days ago he encountered a similar situation.
“As we were approaching the airstrip in the island, our pilot was challenged by one of the Chinese Coast Guard vessels stationed a little beyond the 3-nautical mile distance from the island of Pagasa,” he said.
The lawmaker added that upon landing, he also received a text message stating “Welcome to China.”
Lacson’s camp said he visited the island to get updates from the military as the chairman of the Senate Defense Committee. He also wanted a deeper look into the West Philippine Sea situation to come up with plans to resolve the territorial dispute, as he seeks the presidency in the May 2022 elections.
Pag-asa Island is 225 kilometers away from Ayungin Shoal where just four days ago, Chinese vessels reportedly blocked and fired water cannons at Filipino-manned supply boats.
Although no one was hurt, Foreign Affairs chief Teddy Boy Locsin said he spoke to his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi and Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian to condemn and protest the incident.
WATCH: Our flight to Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea received radio challenges from Chinese authorities early today. @cnnphilippines pic.twitter.com/mpQtTybeuW
— Gerg Cahiles (@gergcahiles) November 20, 2021
WATCH: Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea. Videos taken this morning. @cnnphilippines pic.twitter.com/8DoOs3QBrL
— Gerg Cahiles (@gergcahiles) November 20, 2021
