MANILA – A Chinese missile ship reportedly chased a Philippine vessel conducting maritime patrols near the First Thomas Shoal or Bulig Shoal in the West Philippine Sea last week.
According to a report by ABS-CBN News, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) civilian vessel BRP Datu Romapenet was on the way to the Hasa-Hasa Shoal to provide aid and other food supplies to fishermen in the area when the incident took place last Friday.
The report stated that China’s Type 22 missile boat shadowed the Philippine civilian vessel, while a China Coast Guard ship was also nearby during the incident.
“Nakakabahala itong insidente na ito lalong-lalo na missile ship ang nag-shadow sa ating BFAR ship. Hindi ito expected na nangyayari dahil alam natin na kapag grey ship, tulad ng missile ship na nakita natin, nagpapakita ng ngipin at lakas ang China,” said Dr. Chester Cabalza, director and founder of International Development and Security Cooperation.
He added: “First time tayong makakita, itong Houbei missile ship na ito. Hindi natin ito nakikita pangkaraniwan sa West Philippine Sea dahil ang madalas nilang pinapadala ay ang mga Coast Guard ship… Ibang klase ito dahil missile ship.”
Apart from shadowing the Philippines vessel, the missile ship also reportedly pointed lasers at a BFAR plane three times when it was conducting maritime patrols alongside the civilian ship.
“Isang provocation ito at ang pagle-laser nila sa eroplano natin, hindi lang nila ginagawa sa atin ito, kundi ginagawa rin ito sa malalaking bansa tulad ng Australia, US, at nakita natin na ganitong greyzone tactics nila ginagawa pa rin nila sa atin. Hindi bago ito na ginagawa,” said Cabalza.
“We are not tolerating this kind of action coming from China… Kailangan ipaliwanag sa atin unang-una bakit nagpadala sila ng missile ship sa ating maritime features in the West Philippine Sea,” he added.
Despite the threats, the BFAR pushed through with its resupply mission in Hasa-Hasa Shoal, where around 100 fishermen received food packs, water, fuel, and medicine.
China recently reiterated its “demand” to withdrawal the US missile system installed in the Philippines, saying it undermines the peace and stability in the region.
The Philippine military, however, said it wanted the United States’ Typhon midrange capability missile in the Philippines permanently as part of the country’s defense./PN
