The Philippine Navy disclosed on Tuesday a historical account of heightened tensions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) during the early 1990s, asserting that past confrontations with China surpassed recent incidents in terms of their level of intensity.
Navy spokesperson on WPS issues Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad revealed in an impromptu interview that the country faced a near-naval engagement with China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) during that period, which eclipsed the recent rotational and resupply mission in Ayungin shoal.
Sometime between 1993-1994, Trinidad recalled there was a “gray on gray” situation at sea, referring to the color of warships, when China first occupied Mischief Reef that blocked Philippine vessels from navigating the disputed waters. “That was intense,” he said.
Trinidad described the recent water cannon attack from the China Coast Guard as ‘normal,’ but what set it apart from the previous incidents was the shattering of the glass that injured four Philippine Navy personnel aboard the Unaizah Mae 4 vessel.
Emphasizing the illegality and unprofessionalism of Chinese actions within Philippine waters, Trinidad called for the cessation of such maritime behavior to prevent further incidents inside the country’s exclusive economic zone.
Amid these challenges, Trinidad affirmed the resilience and unity of the Philippine Navy and the armed forces, highlighting recent survey results as a testament to their strength and commitment to fulfilling their mandate in the West Philippine Sea.
The Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) used their water cannons towards the civilian ship commandeered by the Philippine Navy, which was also loaded with fresh provisions for the troops stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin, last March 5.
