AFP: Chinese boat got entangled while tailing PH vessels

A Chinese rubber boat experienced “karma” while tailing Philippine ships going to the Ayungin Shoal for a resupply mission as it got entangled in a mooring line, according to a top official of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

During the Saturday News Forum, AFP spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar recounted “the karma that they [China]  experienced when they tried to shadow our resupply vessel.”

“One of their RHIBs (rigid hull inflatable boat) got entangled with the mooring line of a fishing boat that was near the BRP Sierra Madre,” Aguilar said.

The AFP spokesperson added that troops stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre offered to help, but “of course, China refused because they don’t want Filipinos to be helping them.”

“And then another boat came to the rescue. Another RHIB came to the rescue... it got entangled also in the shallow portion,” Aguilar said.

Despite the offer of help, the AFP spokesperson said the Chinese blamed the Philippines for the incident.

“What is quite amusing is that they still have the guts to challenge our radio message. They said: ‘PCG because your maneuvers, the CCG RHIB 216-16 got entangled,” Aguilar said

“This is one narrative probably that they will again raise or tell their people about abuses that we had committed,” the AFP spokesperson said.

In the latest incident, Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) and Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) vessels again “harassed” a Philippine resupply mission by maneuvering dangerously against the Philippine ships.

The AFP, on Friday, conducted another resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre in the Ayungin Shoal.

The Philippine Coast Guard’s BRP Cabra and BRP Sindangan escorted the resupply boats.

Former US Air Force official and ex-Defence Attaché Ray Powell said two China Coast Guard ships and 10 maritime militia vessels tried to block the Philippine ships.

Despite the efforts of the Chinese vessels, the AFP said the resupply mission was successful. — DVM, GMA Integrated News