PCG: Chinese vessels made 'dangerous maneuvers' near PH ships in Ayungin Shoal

Two Chinese coast guard (CCG) vessels made "dangerous maneuvers" that could have caused a collision with two Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ships near Ayungin Shoal on June 30, the PCG bared on Wednesday.

At a televised public briefing, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippines Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said the PCG deployed BRP Malabrigo and BRP Pascua to assist the 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,” he said.

(When the two PCG vessels reached a distance of 10.59 nautical miles away from Ayungin Shoal, they spotted these two CCG vessels, 5201 and 4203.)

"Ang ginawa nila is they came close sa ating dalawang PCG vessels within approximate distance of 100 yards,” he added.

(What they did is they came close to the two PCG vessels within approximate distance of 100 yards.)

According to him, the PCG vessels decreased their speed to prevent a possible collision with the Chinese vessels.

Tarriela said the foreign vessels sent out radio challenges, prompting the PCG ships to respond.

"In response, we [were] also challenging their presence na ito [In response, we also challenged their presence]," he said.

Tarriela maintained that the area is within the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

"They are not supposed to be within our EEZ and that they were carrying out dangerous maneuvers and they are violating the [1972 Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea]," he said. 

Tarriela said another CCG vessel with body number 3103 went to the area from Bajo Masinloc to “reinforce” the two CCG vessels.

After the incident, Tarriela said six Chinese maritime militia (CMM) vessels swarmed the area and blocked the Philippine ship from going to Ayungin Shoal.

He also said two People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy warships, 629 and 620, were seen in the area.

"This is particularly alarming as the Philippine Navy's naval operation is solely humanitarian in nature. Despite this, the Chinese have deployed their warships, raising even greater concerns," Tarriela said in a statement.

Despite the incident, Tarriela said the resupply mission was accomplished and the PCG vessels were able to safely return to their respective areas of operation.

"This is our EEZ. They are not supposed to challenge us because in accordance to [United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea], we have sovereign rights sa area na ‘to (in this area)," he said during the public briefing.

Naval Forces West Commander Commodore Allan Javier, who was onboard the supply boat, said there is a need to strengthen the law enforcement in the WPS to curb illegal activities that damage the ecosystem, Ivan Mayrina reported on “24 Oras”.

Radio challenge

In February, a Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel was reported to have tried to drive away a Philippine Coast Guard ship that was conducting a maritime domain awareness (MDA) flight in Ayungin Shoal.

The PCG has released a video where a radio challenge from China can be heard telling the PCG to leave the area even though it is within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines.

"You are entering the security of (Chinese)...Leave immediately the area of control as to (prevent)...any misunderstanding," it said.

The PCG received the radio challenge while they were holding an MDA flight where they spotted the CCG vessel only one mile from away Philippine vessel BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.

At the time, the PCG said it will continue its patrols in the area.

In July 2016, the UN Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, based on a case filed by the Philippines, junked China's nine-dash line claim covering the entire South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea.

China has refused to acknowledge the ruling.

GMA News Online has sought a comment from the Chinese embassy about the matter but it has yet to provide a statement as of posting time. —KBK/RSJ, GMA Integrated News