A Chinese Coast Guard ship maneuvered dangerously close against Philippine vessels on their way to Ayungin Shoal for this month’s resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said yesterday.
“Dangerous maneuvers once again in today’s resupply mission,” he told journalists as he shared videos of the incident from the Philippine Coast Guard.
BRP Sierra Madre was deliberately grounded on Ayungin Shoal to serve as an outpost in the West Philippine Sea.
Former US Air Force official Ray Powell, in a post on the X social media platform, said Chinese Coast Guard vessel 4301 shadowed PCG’s BRP Cabra and BRP Sindangan that were escorting the resupply boats past Sabina Shoal.
Powell said at least 12 Chinese militia ships were deployed at Mischief Reef while the Philippine Navy’s BRP Ramon Alcaraz was positioned to the south for support.
“BRP Cabra (and) Sindangan now moving away from the shoal. Closest approach was -16km. Harassment (and) dangerous maneuvers by PRC ships – (especially) by Quong Sansha Yu 00008, which crossed a few meters of Cabra, and by 00231 which passed within a few meters of Sindangan,” Powell said.
Earlier, the PCG removed a floating barrier that the Chinese had installed to keep Filipino fishers out of Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal.
It also urged Filipinos to continue fishing in the West Philippine Sea despite the presence of Chinese vessels.
As this developed, the Philippines and South Korea will hold a maritime dialogue next week where both countries are expected to discuss China’s aggressive behavior in the West Philippine Sea.
South Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Sang-Hwa said the second round of maritime dialogue may center on the issues regarding the West Philippine Sea and South China Sea.
“We are expecting to cover a variety of issues ranging from protection of our maritime ecosystem, and safety and security in the West Philippine Sea and South China Sea, and you know, the Korea-Philippine military-to-military and defense industry cooperation,” Lee said.
“I felt strongly that we should add our voice to the growing concern about the situation,” Lee added.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., for his part, said is looking forward to the approval of a key security pact between the Philippines and Japan before the year ends to boost defense cooperation amid concerns over escalating tensions in the South China Sea.
“We would want to fast-track it because the Senate is also waiting for it. Our target is within the year.” Teodoro said.
“Joint sail is okay but they (Japan) really need to participate in planning so I’m fast-tracking it as much as possible,” he added.