Chinese coast guard harassed Filipino troops in West PHL Sea anew, Alejano says

Magdalo party-list Representative Gary Alejano on Wednesday reported that Chinese coast guard personnel harassed anew the Philippine military forces in the West Philippine Sea.

Alejano made the revelation amid recent militarization efforts of China in the disputed region.

Citing his sources, Alejano said the Armed Forces of the Philippines has filed a complaint before the Department of Foreign Affairs about a recent incident of harassment by Chinese forces in the Ayungin Shoal, an area 105 nautical miles from Palawan and is part of the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone.

"On May 11, during a reprovisioning mission for our troops in Ayungin, LS507 of the Philippine Navy was challenged and harassed by the Coast Guard and the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) of China,” Alejano narrated.

"When the Philippine Navy ship launched a rubber boat to resupply BRP Sierra Madre, a chopper of PLAN hovered in a close and dangerous distance. The PLAN chopper was so close that sea water splash entered the rubber boat,” he added.

The Chinese forces, he said, were aboard a Chinese coast guard vessel with bow number 3368 and PLAN ship with bow number 549.

Alejano said that only the Chinese coast guard were harassing Filipino troops, but now they are joined by the PLAN.

"This is a clear threat to our security forces by no less than the Chinese coast guard and Navy which obviously requires condemnation from our end,” he said.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano acknowledged the incident in Ayungin Shoal during Wednesday's meeting with the House Special Committee on the West Philippine Sea.

But Alejano said Cayetano did not give a clear answer as to the action of the government on the incident.

"As usual, the Duterte administration gives us the same general statements that they are discussing the matter and will be taking action, but the public is still being left in the dark. If the Duterte administration wants the public to trust its approach in the West Philippine Sea, certain details meant for public consumption should be released," Alejano said.

"They cannot blame the public if there are doubts and low confidence on their words since what they are disclosing and what is happening on the ground are two different stories,” he added.

Cayetano maintained during the meeting that the Philippines has been taking actions on the incursions of China in the West Philippine sea.

In fact, he said the government has filed "several dozens" of diplomatic protests against China. — BAP, GMA News