A China Coast Guard (CCG) ship was detected “pretty close” to Manila Bay on Friday, apparently attempting to intercept a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel heading toward the vicinity of Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, a maritime monitor reported.
Ray Powell, founder of maritime tracking initiative SeaLight, told the Inquirer that CCG 3306 was “sitting just outside” the 24-nautical-mile contiguous zone — remaining beyond the country’s archipelagic waters — while tailing the BRP Cape San Agustin.
“China Coast Guard waits just outside Manila Bay for it (BRP Cape San Agustin) to emerge. China seems determined to intercept and escort any Philippine ship moving in Scarborough Shoal’s general direction,” he said
“It’s as close as they get, but I’ve seen them get that close before,” Powell.
This development comes after the collision of Chinese vessels off Panatag Shoal.
On Monday, CCG 3104 chased BRP Suluan and performed a risky maneuver on the PCG ship, leading to a collision with a People’s Liberation Army Navy warship with hull number 164.
Meanwhile, the United States Navy denied China’s claim that it expelled the guided missile destroyer USS Higgins from Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, saying the ship’s freedom of navigation mission was conducted lawfully and without incident.
The US stressed it would continue operating wherever international law allows, rejecting Beijing’s “unlawful restrictions.”
“China’s statement about this mission is false,” US 7th Fleet spokesperson Commander Megan Greene said.
