AFP slams China for harassing PH Navy ship at Panatag Shoal

National

THE Armed Forces of the Philippines on Thursday, May 7, criticized the “aggressive and unsafe maneuvers” by two Chinese Navy ships that posed a direct threat to Philippine vessels near Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

The AFP said the alleged harassment happened about 22 kilometers southeast of Panatag on May 5.

In a report by Inquirer.net, the AFP said two Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels made dangerous manuevers while the Philippine Navy’s BRP Emilio Jacinto (PS35), a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) ship, and a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel were conducting routine and lawful maritime patrol operations at Panatag.

The Chinese ships were identified as Jiangkai II-class frigates (Type 054A) with bow numbers 554 and 573 and China Coast Guard vessel 5403.

“These reckless actions not only posed a direct threat to the safety of navigation of PS35, but also violated the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea,” the AFP said.

The AFP expressed its “serious concern over these irresponsible actions by Chinese maritime forces.”

“Such threatening and provocative conduct can lead to misunderstandings that may escalate tensions and impact regional stability,” it said.

Also known as Bajo de Masinloc, Panatag is known to be a resource-rich area that has been declared a traditional fishing ground for Filipinos, Vietnamese, and Chinese.