DOTr: PCG will not be deterred after near crash with China vessels

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will not be deterred after Filipino and Chinese vessels nearly crashed off Spratly Island, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said Monday.

In a statement, the DOTr said the PCG was in legitimate exercise of Philippine rights as granted by international law.

“Armed with the rule of law and the support of like-minded states, the DOTr-PCG will not be deterred by these aggressive and provocative measures irresponsibly employed to impose territorial and maritime assertions which are devoid of basis,” it said.

This came after a Chinese coast guard ship on April 23 cut off a Philippine patrol vessel carrying journalists, causing a near-collision.

The DOTr also said it was concerned over the incident, calling it the “latest act of harassment against the Philippines.”

Meanwhile, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he had discussed the incident with the Chinese government.

According to China, the near-collision was caused by the PCG's "premeditated and provocative action."

For its part, the PCG said the maritime patrol was “non-provocative.”—Joahna Lei Casilao/AOL, GMA Integrated News