Brawner confirms Chinese vessel ‘shadowed’ BRP Laguna

Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner, Jr. has confirmed that a Chinese vessel “shadowed” a Philippine ship on a resupply mission in the West Philippine Sea.

The BRP Laguna was shadowed by Chinese warship 630 during its resupply mission to Pag-asa Island in the Kalayaan Group of Islands near Palawan, inside the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

While sources say Chinese presence is regular in the area, this latest action comes on the heels of a successful resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal.

BRP Laguna left Palawan for Pag-asa Tuesday night only several hours after the Ayungin resupply mission, carrying it with supplies and returning residents of Pag-asa Island.

Its engines broke down at sea, delaying its arrival for a least a day.

While at sea, it was met with a number of Chinese vessels including the warship numbered 630.

A source said the vessel shadowed the Laguna until its arrival at Pag-asa Saturday afternoon.

At least ten Chinese vessels were in the area, the source added.

Another source told GMA Integrated News that another Navy ship, the BRP Gregorio del Pilar, which patrols the West Philippine Sea, escorted the Laguna to safety.

“We continue to condemn the coercive and dangerous tactics of the Chinese Coast Guard and the Chinese Maritime Militia in the South China Sea. We call on them to follow the Rules-Based International Order,” Brawner said in a statement.

GMA News Online has reached out to the Chinese Embassy for comment.

China has maintained its stance that nearly the entire South China Sea— including Ayungin Shoal and other areas in the West Philippine Sea—is part of its historic territory, and has therefore taken "necessary controls" against Philippines boats that had "illegally" entered its waters. China has also refused to recognize an international tribunal's ruling in July 2016 that junked its sweeping claims to the sea. — BM, GMA Integrated News