CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City — The Philippine Navy’s (PN) BRP Benguet (LS507) warned off and issued consecutive radio challenges to China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy Ship 621 (PLAN 621) after it shadowed the former at an 80-yard distance and attempted to cross LS507's bow with a CPA (closest point of approach) of 350 yards at 5.8 Nautical Miles South West of Pag-asa Island on Friday, October 13. The PN vessel was en-route to Rizal Reef Station for the conduct of a regular rotation and resupply (RoRe) mission when the incident happened.
The PN crew cited the violation of the Collision Regulations (COLREG) in its radio challenges, and demanded that the Chinese vessel to steer clear of the BRP Benguet.
The Philippine Naval ship received a counter-response from PLAN 621 using their so-called and patently baseless "ten-dash line” narrative.
WESCOM Chief, Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos said in dismay, "These [dangerous] maneuvers pose significant risks to maritime safety, collision prevention, and danger to human lives at sea. China must immediately halt these unsafe actions and conduct themselves in a professional manner by adhering to international law”.
General Romeo Brawner Jr., Chief of Staff of the AFP, strongly urges China to cease these dangerous maneuvers and aggressive actions towards Philippine vessels. 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,” said General Brawner.
China’s illegal presence and activities interfere with a legitimate Philippine rotation and resupply mission. Its conduct of aggressive manuevers; and any other similar activities that infringes upon the country’s sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction are violations of international law.
The Philippines has continued to call on China to immediately stop its illegal activities in the country’s maritime zones.///
