THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) revealed on Wednesday, July 5, 2023, another instance of "dangerous maneuvers" made by two Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessels, which could have led to their collision with two Philippine ships in Ayungin Shoal on June 30.
Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS), said the incident involved BRP Malabrigo and BRP Pascua, which were then assisting in a resupply mission of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
"When the two PCG vessels reached a distance of 10.59 nautical miles away from Ayungin Shoal, namataan namin itong dalawang CCG vessels, 5201 and 4203," Tarriela said.
"Ang ginawa nila is they came close sa ating dalawang PCG vessels within approximate distance of 100 yards," he added.
Tarriela said the Philippine vessels then slowed down, preventing any untoward incident.
He said six Chinese maritime militia (CMM) vessels later trooped the area and prevented the Philippine ships from going to Ayungin Shoal.
Tarriela said two People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy ships, 629 and 620, were also sighted in the area.
He said troops also responded to radio challenges issued by the foreign vessel, particularly against their presence in the area, which is within the country's exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Tarriela said it is a "clear violation" of the 1972 Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (Unclos).
"This is our EEZ. They are not supposed to challenge us because in accordance with Unclos, we have sovereign rights sa area na 'to," Tarriela said.
China refused to recognize the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, Netherlands, which favored the Philippines' claims in the sea areas falling within the nine-dash line or 90 percent of the West Philippine Sea
In April, a China Coast Guard vessel cut off BRP Malapascua in the waters around Ayungin Shoal.
The BRP Malapascua and BRP Malabrigo were also reportedly shadowed by Chinese navy and coast guard ships and ordered to leave the waters several times.
In response to the incident, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has directed the Department of Foreign Affairs and the PCG to identify the country's fishing grounds in the West Philippine Sea amid the ongoing territorial dispute with China. (VoxPop Philippines)