Chinese militia shadowed 2 PCG ships, says ex-US attache

Chinese militia fleets shadowed two Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ships sending supplies to military troops stationed in Ayungin Shoal, a maritime expert has said.

According to Raffy Tima’s report on “24 Oras” Tuesday, former US Air Force official and ex-Defence Attaché Ray Powell said in a tweet that one Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel, four Chinese militia ships, and a possible Chinese Navy vessel monitored BRP Malabrigo and BRP Malapascua while en route to Ayungin Shoal for its resupply mission at BRP Sierra Madre.

Seven Chinese militia ships were also spotted in the area.

Powell said two CCG vessels tailed the Philippine fleet after it concluded its mission before returning to their military base in Mischief Reef.

The former defense official denounced the incident as a violation of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea as it occurred within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

GMA Integrated News sought the comments of the Chinese Embassy, the Philippine Coast Guard, and the Department of National Defense (DND) on the incident but they have yet to respond.

To recall, DND Secretary Gilbert Teodoro earlier said China’s repeated harassment on the Philippine fleet may be raised before the United Nations General Assembly.

Several lawmakers including Senator Risa Hontiveros slammed the incident as “reckless and irresponsible."  She also said it shows China's direspect for international law.

Senator Jinggoy Estrada described Beijing’s repeated violation of international laws as  “unacceptable."—Sundy Locus/LDF, GMA Integrated News