Philippines, PRC face off at sea

The Associated Press

A People’s Republic of China (PRC) coast guard ship blocked a Philippine patrol vessel approaching a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, causing a near collision in a recent act of Beijing’s aggression in the strategic waterway.

The high seas faceoff between the larger Chinese Communist Party (CCP) ship and the Philippine Coast Guard’s BRP Malapascua near Second Thomas Shoal in late April 2023 was among tense moments encountered by Philippine vessels during a weeklong patrol in one of the world’s most hotly contested waterways. (Pictured: A CCP ship blocks the Philippine Coast Guard’s BRP Malapascua as it nears Second Thomas Shoal in April 2023.)

The Philippine Coast Guard invited journalists to join the 1,670-kilometer patrol as part of a Philippine strategy aimed at exposing the CCP’s increasingly aggressive actions in the South China Sea, also called the West Philippine Sea, where an estimated $5 trillion in global trade transits each year.

The Malapascua and another Philippine vessel, the BRP Malabrigo, cruised past a string of widely scattered Philippine-occupied and claimed islands, islets and reefs looking for encroachment, illegal fishing and other threats.

In areas occupied by China, the Philippine patrol vessels received radio warnings in Chinese and halting English ordering them to immediately leave what the Chinese coast guard and navy radio callers claimed were Beijing’s “undisputable territories” and issuing unspecified threats.

After several radio exchanges, a Chinese coast guard caller, sounding agitated, warned of adversarial action.

“Since you have disregarded our warning, we will take further necessary measures on you in accordance with the laws and any consequences entailed will be borne by you,” the Chinese speaker said.

The Chinese ship shadowed the smaller Malapascua and the Malabrigo. When the Malapascua maneuvered toward the mouth of Second Thomas Shoal, the Chinese ship moved to block it, coming within 36 meters of its bow, said the Malapascua’s Capt. Rodel Hernandez.

To avoid a collision, Hernandez reversed direction and shut off the engine. The Philippine vessels left the area for the safety of the ships, crews and passengers. Hernandez said the “sudden and really very dangerous maneuver” by the Chinese coast guard ship flouted international rules on collision avoidance.

Earlier, a huge Chinese navy ship shadowed the two Philippine patrol vessels as they cruised near Subi, one of seven barren reefs that the CCP has transformed into a missile-protected military base. The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy ship radioed the Philippine vessels “to immediately leave and keep out.”

The Philippine Coast Guard radioed back to assert sovereign rights to the area before steaming away.

The Philippines in early 2023 launched its campaign to expose such aggression, hoping public awareness and criticism will force Beijing to abide by international law.

Maritime territorial conflicts involving Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, the PRC, Taiwan and Vietnam have long been regional flashpoints.

IMAGE CREDIT: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS