Courtesy: PCG
THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Wednesday Chinese vessels blocked and carried out dangerous maneuvers against their ships off Ayungin Shoal during a recent support mission.
Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG’s spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said the incident happened on June 30 while they were escorting the naval operation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to Ayungin also called Second Thomas Shoal, which China calls “Ren’ai Reef.”
The Chinese Coast Guard vessels reached a distance of 10.9 nautical miles away from Ayungin Shoal, said Tarriela, and were near the two Philippine Coast Guard vessels BRP Malabrigo at BRP Malapascua.
“Ang ginawa nila, they came close sa ating dalawang Philippine Coast Guard vessels with an approximate distance of 100 yards, while at the same time, ang ginawa ng ating 2 Coast Guard vessel, para ma-prevent itong possible banggaan, they have to decrease the speed,” said Tarriela in a televised briefing.
“The intention of these two vessels were to support the naval operation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines sa sinabi na Ayungin Shoal. They were deployed in Escoda Shoal,” he added.
Aside from this, the Philippine Coast Guard spotted 2 People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy vessels at a distance of 9 nautical miles from Ayungin.
They also monitored 6 Chinese maritime militia vessels that attempted to block them from entering Ayungin, he said.
“Hindi tayo hinabol actually, the Philippine Coast Guard vessels are baing blocked to enter, to come close sa Ayungin Shoal because we are supporting the Naval operation ng Armed Forces of the Philippines during that time,” he added.
