The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Sunday said that one of its transport vessels, BRP Benguet, issued “consecutive radio challenges” to a Chinese naval vessel for shadowing while near the Pag-asa Island on Friday.
“The Philippine Navy (PN)’s BRP Benguet warned off and issued consecutive radio challenges to China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy 621 (PLAN 621) after it shadowed the former at an 80-yard distance and attempted to cross LS-507’s bow with a CPA (closest point of approach) of 350 yards at 5.8 nautical miles southwest of Pag-asa Island on Friday, October 13,” AFP public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Enrico Ileto said yesterday.
BRP Benguet was en route to Rizal Reef Station for its regular rotation and resupply mission when the tailing occurred between 1:40 p.m. and 5:04 p.m. Friday, Ileto said.
“The PN crew cited the violation of the collision regulations in its radio challenges, and demanded that the Chinese vessel steer clear of the BRP Benguet,” he added.
Instead of changing its course, BRP Benguet received a counter-response from PLAN 621 using its “ten-dash line” narrative.
AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., for his part, asked China to cease such dangerous maneuvers and aggressive actions toward Philippine vessels.
He added the potential for collision and accident at sea further highlights the urgency for China to uphold maritime safety standards.
“These dangerous and offensive maneuvers by China’s PLAN not only risk collision but also directly endanger the lives of maritime personnel from both sides. The AFP remains committed to ensuring the safety of its personnel during RoRe missions and asserts that it will continue to adhere to the rules-based international order,” Brawner said.