Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 11) — The China Coast Guard (CCG) has shifted strategy with its use of smaller, faster vessels in its recent attempt to block Manila’s resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Monday.
While the Philippines’ resupply boats successfully reached BRP Sierra Madre, PCG vessels were not able to avoid the dangerous actions conducted by the CCG, separating them from the smaller boats they were assisting.
“They were deploying big vessels before and this is the only time that they deployed smaller vessels and these smaller vessels have more ability to maneuver and they are faster now that’s why it’s very easy for them to prevent us from advancing,” PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Jay Tarriela told CNN Philippines’ The Source.
Tarriela said the CCG deployed four vessels, only one of which was between 110 to 115 meters long while the three others were smaller ones. This change made the recent resupply mission difficult compared to the previous ones, he noted.
A photo Tarriela shared on X (formerly Twitter), showed how Philippine vessels were “completely corralled,” preventing the PCG from maneuvering to escort the resupply boats. He also noted the presence of Chinese militia vessels, which were not simply there to fish but to help the CCG in blocking and conducting dangerous maneuvers against Philippine vessels.
“You can see BRP Cabra, there are three Chinese maritime militia right in front of it, totally blocking its forward and from behind you also have the China Coast Guard vessel there also restricting its ability to maneuver,” he explained.
“On the other side, the BRP Sindangan was also successfully blocked by the two China Coast Guard vessels and one Chinese maritime militia from behind,” he added.
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“The Philippines fully supports adherence to international law and the rules-based order. We must oppose the dangerous use of coast guard and maritime militia vessels in the South China Sea. We are concerned over illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and the… pic.twitter.com/iEYEBSoTju
— Jay Tarriela (@jaytaryela) September 9, 2023
